The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

90
vol. 6 #10 – 30 April 2013 feature EMPIRE OF THE SUN The Sentinel Amsterdam Integrity, heart, humour travel WHISTLER 1

TAGS:

description

The Sentinel, Amsterdam tri-weekly e-zine with all that is good and informative on lifestyles with perspectives, opinion and sport from Amsterdam looking out at the rest of the world. We inform, update and entertain from our city just under sea-level.

Transcript of The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

Page 1: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

vol 6 10 ndash 30 April 2013

feature

empireof thesun

The SentinelAmsterdamIntegrity heart humour

travel

whistler

1

2

E-mail sentinelpostgmailcomWebsite wwwthesentineleu

Contributors Sam van Dam Ananda Welij Sandy Duijsens Andrei Bar-buras Dirkje Bakker-Pierre Evelina Kvartunaite and Simon Joseph

EditorsGary Rudland amp Denson PierreDesign realisation and form Andrei Barburas amp No-OfficenlWebmasterwwwsio-bytestumblrcomWebhost Amsterjammincom

The Sentinel Amsterdam does not intentionally include unaccredited photosillustrations that are subject to copyright If you consider your copyright to have been infringed please contact us at sentinelpostgmailcom

3in this issue

The Sentinel Amsterdam

feature - p04

travel - p 38 cafeacutebar review - p 56 advertorial - p 64

star beer guide - p 70 sentinel recommended - p 72 spotted - p 74

technology - p 80 sport - p 84film review - p 75

empire of the sun

whistler Cafeacute parck save sandy

Jopen where is this in Amsterdam

user interface on the Volleyroom2c

lsquoQueen Beatrix came and there was so much symbolismrsquo

lsquoPredominantly visually defined by its old buildingsrsquo

health amp well-being - p 78

turquoise

lsquoA very specifically coloured and very well known gemstonersquo

lsquoVan Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch paintingrsquo

lsquoOur entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in timelsquo

Dam in 60 mins haarlem

the politics of royals

Bring back

the Gold room

perspectives - p16

trends - p 76

amsterdam city life - p 69

sport - p 88

more

Mary Magdalene ndash Jan van Scorel (1535)

4feature

Empireof thesun

By Denson Pierre

On Saturday 13 April Amsterdamrsquos Rijksmuseum (Empire Museum) officially re-opened to the public It was hard to believe that it had been more than ten years since this centrally located masterpiece of grand architecture closed its doors along with the highlight of any cycle trip around Amsterdam (the decorative and acoustically exciting arcade) Queen Beatrix came and there was so much symbolism involved with this particular royal opening given the imminent changes at Casa Orange-Nassau but even the queen was upstaged by nature itself

lsquoIt was hard to believe that it had been more than ten yearsrsquo

5feature

feature

The Milkmaid ndash Johannes Vermeer (1685-1690)

6

Articles in The Sentinel have chorused laments about the length and severity of the winter of 2012-2013 but as if on cue just as one of the leading museums in the world was about to re-open with fanfare and outdoor performances the sun burned through the weepy grey clouds to lift the temperature substantially along with local spirits for the first time in 2013

When the light is switched on in the sky above Amsterdam the city shows its schizophrenic nature Like some sort of East African savannah scene Dutch and international residents herd to terraces beaches and free public eventsspaces in tremendous numbers The grazing behaviour this year even included sports-oriented bars enjoying record takings as the sudden change of weather into warmth and vital life coincided with another monolithic Amsterdam and national institution Athletic Football Club Ajax versus Philips Sport (Vereniging) Association in a crucial clash The game took place in Eindhoven on the day after the queen visited and filled the airwaves with screams roars and jubilation much more of an everymanrsquos nature Ajax won and until late at night the snack bars were doing great business from the alcohol saturated sunshiny spring revellers making their way back home maybe dreaming that such culturally explosive weekends should happen much more often

Back to the Rijksmuseum I use the term Empire in the title because if it really wanted to be called the National(e) Museum it could also have ceremoniously changed its name The Dutch language in its purest form allows this Names are governed by etymology and the provenance of historical objects The Netherlands had been a colonial and crown conquest nation from very early on (as the contents of many exhibits shows) One way of looking at the material preserved so well and displayed so expertly is that too much of it was acquired by means that today would be considered criminal akin to looting or confidence trickery This is not to say that The Sentinel is in any way against museology but it is worth noting that the more ancient Japanese (the Dutch were the first occidental explorers to make meaningful contact with

this extreme edge of the orient) were said to have come up with a saying about their newly understood trading partners ldquoWhere a Dutchman has been not even grass grows anymorerdquo

The Rijksmuseumrsquos centrepiece remains the most masterful of masterfully technical works by Rembrandt van Rijn The Night Watch along with others of his works lsquoExpertsrsquo have speculated all sorts of theories as to why this long-dead amazing painter still fascinates and challenge us to explain why he was technically so extraordinary Neurobiologists have postulated stereo blindness to explain stories that he could draw perfectly straight lines freehand What is sure though is that some of the great works by Rembrandt will take you some time to fully consider the natural skill that must have been needed to produce them

In considering this and everything else about the Rijksmuseum I would just like to say something about admission In such a wealthy country of such a high-rate tax regime where we subsidise our national treasures so heavily anyway why is admission not free (as it was on Saturday) Now with the refurbished museum open and having such rave reviews it may seem like a silly question but I contend that if the authorities really wanted Dutch historical culture to be truly and easily accessible then a euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within this context I mean what makes the UK for instance so economically and culturally rich that it can offer free entry for all to its own National Museum

As always with the Rijksmuseum I am pretty sure I will make it there at least another four times over the next ten years as there is just so much to see and study Today as I write the sun shines brightly on the Kingdom of the Netherlands

lsquoOne of the leading museums in the world was about to re-openrsquo

7feature

feature

The Nightwatch ndash Rembrandt van Rijn (1642)

8

lsquoThe Rijksmuseumrsquos centrepiece remains the most masterful of masterfully technical works by

Rembrandtrsquo

9feature

Cuypers Library ndash (Restored)

10feature

lsquoHe could draw perfectlystraight lines freehandrsquo 11

feature

Japanese temple guards (circa 1300-1400) photo erik smits

12feature

lsquoA euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within

this contextrsquo

13feature

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

14classifieds

Artist thinker

Here are some of our local partners

Enter (click) to learn why they work with us

demerkplaatsnl

15classifieds

Dam in 60 minutes

By Sam van Dam

perspectives

Haarlem 16

perspectives

This time I am taking you on a trip to one of Amsterdamrsquos neighbouring cities and I apologise in advance for this particular journey being slightly further away than 60 minutes by bike unless you happen to be a sport cyclist Haarlem is certainly worth every extra minute spent in the saddle

Leaving Amsterdam via Westerpark a rather uneventful leg (apart from the regular jumps into a ditch to avoid colliding head-on with the gazillions of bike-racers) takes you past the villages of Zwanenburg and Halfweg which I largely ignored A much bigger bounty was looming on the horizon a place Irsquod only visited twice before and only briefly but which I could not get out of my head Haarlem the place after which the famous borough of New York is named After biking in a straight line for what seemed like hours I hit the outskirts of Haarlem and was immediately mesmerised by the attractive skyline dominated by various church towers and the massive circular roof of the old penitentiary Like Amsterdam Haarlem is predominantly visually defined by its old buildings and has a very relaxed vibe of ancient structures mixed with modern elements Unlike Amsterdam however it has a huge square in the city centre where the locals meet up for coffee and a chat when the sun comes out This creates a very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and peaceful As soon as I sat down in a comfy chair with a hot beverage I had a strong urge to make new friends and start a new life here Within minutes I had fallen in love with Haarlem and could not stop gaping at the historical buildings the charming people and the beauty surrounding them Donrsquot get me wrong I am a dedicated Amsterdammer and I never thought I could live anywhere else but suddenly it started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shake

I couldnrsquot help but smile at the locals and being the friendly folk they are they smiled back at me almost as if they could read my mind and were welcoming me to their lovely city All the while the sun happily illuminated the scene as if it was part of a general plan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitor As I sat there in the city centre with a grin on my face and a Latte Macchiato the local name for a koffie verkeerd in my hand I began to mentally apologise to my hometown for having thoughts like ldquoI could live here this is really nicerdquo

I forced myself to walk away from the scene desperately trying to find an ugly part of town that would put things back into some kind of perspective and allow me to return to Amsterdam with a sense of relief and a restored belief that I am actually living in the best city in the world But it didnrsquot work Haarlem seems to be an irresistibly pretty place I took a ride around town soaking up as much of the lovely atmosphere as possible counting the churches and watching the locals enjoying themselves sitting by the water or in one of the many cafeacutes With every minute that passed the gnawing feeling that I might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdam and be a new home grew stronger to the point of being overwhelming I forced my bike towards the city limits and slowly pedalled in the general direction of the Dam while a lonely tear ran down my cheek and my mind screamed at me ldquoWhat are you doing Turn aroundrdquo

I ignored the voice in my head and made it safely to the highway where I followed the cycle path to Amsterdam all the while considering the advantages of living in a city that is only a few kilometres away from the coast allowing me to bike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at all Very tempting Sorry Amsterdam but I think Irsquom in love

lsquoA much bigger bounty was looming on the horizonrsquo

17

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 2: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

2

E-mail sentinelpostgmailcomWebsite wwwthesentineleu

Contributors Sam van Dam Ananda Welij Sandy Duijsens Andrei Bar-buras Dirkje Bakker-Pierre Evelina Kvartunaite and Simon Joseph

EditorsGary Rudland amp Denson PierreDesign realisation and form Andrei Barburas amp No-OfficenlWebmasterwwwsio-bytestumblrcomWebhost Amsterjammincom

The Sentinel Amsterdam does not intentionally include unaccredited photosillustrations that are subject to copyright If you consider your copyright to have been infringed please contact us at sentinelpostgmailcom

3in this issue

The Sentinel Amsterdam

feature - p04

travel - p 38 cafeacutebar review - p 56 advertorial - p 64

star beer guide - p 70 sentinel recommended - p 72 spotted - p 74

technology - p 80 sport - p 84film review - p 75

empire of the sun

whistler Cafeacute parck save sandy

Jopen where is this in Amsterdam

user interface on the Volleyroom2c

lsquoQueen Beatrix came and there was so much symbolismrsquo

lsquoPredominantly visually defined by its old buildingsrsquo

health amp well-being - p 78

turquoise

lsquoA very specifically coloured and very well known gemstonersquo

lsquoVan Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch paintingrsquo

lsquoOur entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in timelsquo

Dam in 60 mins haarlem

the politics of royals

Bring back

the Gold room

perspectives - p16

trends - p 76

amsterdam city life - p 69

sport - p 88

more

Mary Magdalene ndash Jan van Scorel (1535)

4feature

Empireof thesun

By Denson Pierre

On Saturday 13 April Amsterdamrsquos Rijksmuseum (Empire Museum) officially re-opened to the public It was hard to believe that it had been more than ten years since this centrally located masterpiece of grand architecture closed its doors along with the highlight of any cycle trip around Amsterdam (the decorative and acoustically exciting arcade) Queen Beatrix came and there was so much symbolism involved with this particular royal opening given the imminent changes at Casa Orange-Nassau but even the queen was upstaged by nature itself

lsquoIt was hard to believe that it had been more than ten yearsrsquo

5feature

feature

The Milkmaid ndash Johannes Vermeer (1685-1690)

6

Articles in The Sentinel have chorused laments about the length and severity of the winter of 2012-2013 but as if on cue just as one of the leading museums in the world was about to re-open with fanfare and outdoor performances the sun burned through the weepy grey clouds to lift the temperature substantially along with local spirits for the first time in 2013

When the light is switched on in the sky above Amsterdam the city shows its schizophrenic nature Like some sort of East African savannah scene Dutch and international residents herd to terraces beaches and free public eventsspaces in tremendous numbers The grazing behaviour this year even included sports-oriented bars enjoying record takings as the sudden change of weather into warmth and vital life coincided with another monolithic Amsterdam and national institution Athletic Football Club Ajax versus Philips Sport (Vereniging) Association in a crucial clash The game took place in Eindhoven on the day after the queen visited and filled the airwaves with screams roars and jubilation much more of an everymanrsquos nature Ajax won and until late at night the snack bars were doing great business from the alcohol saturated sunshiny spring revellers making their way back home maybe dreaming that such culturally explosive weekends should happen much more often

Back to the Rijksmuseum I use the term Empire in the title because if it really wanted to be called the National(e) Museum it could also have ceremoniously changed its name The Dutch language in its purest form allows this Names are governed by etymology and the provenance of historical objects The Netherlands had been a colonial and crown conquest nation from very early on (as the contents of many exhibits shows) One way of looking at the material preserved so well and displayed so expertly is that too much of it was acquired by means that today would be considered criminal akin to looting or confidence trickery This is not to say that The Sentinel is in any way against museology but it is worth noting that the more ancient Japanese (the Dutch were the first occidental explorers to make meaningful contact with

this extreme edge of the orient) were said to have come up with a saying about their newly understood trading partners ldquoWhere a Dutchman has been not even grass grows anymorerdquo

The Rijksmuseumrsquos centrepiece remains the most masterful of masterfully technical works by Rembrandt van Rijn The Night Watch along with others of his works lsquoExpertsrsquo have speculated all sorts of theories as to why this long-dead amazing painter still fascinates and challenge us to explain why he was technically so extraordinary Neurobiologists have postulated stereo blindness to explain stories that he could draw perfectly straight lines freehand What is sure though is that some of the great works by Rembrandt will take you some time to fully consider the natural skill that must have been needed to produce them

In considering this and everything else about the Rijksmuseum I would just like to say something about admission In such a wealthy country of such a high-rate tax regime where we subsidise our national treasures so heavily anyway why is admission not free (as it was on Saturday) Now with the refurbished museum open and having such rave reviews it may seem like a silly question but I contend that if the authorities really wanted Dutch historical culture to be truly and easily accessible then a euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within this context I mean what makes the UK for instance so economically and culturally rich that it can offer free entry for all to its own National Museum

As always with the Rijksmuseum I am pretty sure I will make it there at least another four times over the next ten years as there is just so much to see and study Today as I write the sun shines brightly on the Kingdom of the Netherlands

lsquoOne of the leading museums in the world was about to re-openrsquo

7feature

feature

The Nightwatch ndash Rembrandt van Rijn (1642)

8

lsquoThe Rijksmuseumrsquos centrepiece remains the most masterful of masterfully technical works by

Rembrandtrsquo

9feature

Cuypers Library ndash (Restored)

10feature

lsquoHe could draw perfectlystraight lines freehandrsquo 11

feature

Japanese temple guards (circa 1300-1400) photo erik smits

12feature

lsquoA euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within

this contextrsquo

13feature

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

14classifieds

Artist thinker

Here are some of our local partners

Enter (click) to learn why they work with us

demerkplaatsnl

15classifieds

Dam in 60 minutes

By Sam van Dam

perspectives

Haarlem 16

perspectives

This time I am taking you on a trip to one of Amsterdamrsquos neighbouring cities and I apologise in advance for this particular journey being slightly further away than 60 minutes by bike unless you happen to be a sport cyclist Haarlem is certainly worth every extra minute spent in the saddle

Leaving Amsterdam via Westerpark a rather uneventful leg (apart from the regular jumps into a ditch to avoid colliding head-on with the gazillions of bike-racers) takes you past the villages of Zwanenburg and Halfweg which I largely ignored A much bigger bounty was looming on the horizon a place Irsquod only visited twice before and only briefly but which I could not get out of my head Haarlem the place after which the famous borough of New York is named After biking in a straight line for what seemed like hours I hit the outskirts of Haarlem and was immediately mesmerised by the attractive skyline dominated by various church towers and the massive circular roof of the old penitentiary Like Amsterdam Haarlem is predominantly visually defined by its old buildings and has a very relaxed vibe of ancient structures mixed with modern elements Unlike Amsterdam however it has a huge square in the city centre where the locals meet up for coffee and a chat when the sun comes out This creates a very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and peaceful As soon as I sat down in a comfy chair with a hot beverage I had a strong urge to make new friends and start a new life here Within minutes I had fallen in love with Haarlem and could not stop gaping at the historical buildings the charming people and the beauty surrounding them Donrsquot get me wrong I am a dedicated Amsterdammer and I never thought I could live anywhere else but suddenly it started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shake

I couldnrsquot help but smile at the locals and being the friendly folk they are they smiled back at me almost as if they could read my mind and were welcoming me to their lovely city All the while the sun happily illuminated the scene as if it was part of a general plan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitor As I sat there in the city centre with a grin on my face and a Latte Macchiato the local name for a koffie verkeerd in my hand I began to mentally apologise to my hometown for having thoughts like ldquoI could live here this is really nicerdquo

I forced myself to walk away from the scene desperately trying to find an ugly part of town that would put things back into some kind of perspective and allow me to return to Amsterdam with a sense of relief and a restored belief that I am actually living in the best city in the world But it didnrsquot work Haarlem seems to be an irresistibly pretty place I took a ride around town soaking up as much of the lovely atmosphere as possible counting the churches and watching the locals enjoying themselves sitting by the water or in one of the many cafeacutes With every minute that passed the gnawing feeling that I might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdam and be a new home grew stronger to the point of being overwhelming I forced my bike towards the city limits and slowly pedalled in the general direction of the Dam while a lonely tear ran down my cheek and my mind screamed at me ldquoWhat are you doing Turn aroundrdquo

I ignored the voice in my head and made it safely to the highway where I followed the cycle path to Amsterdam all the while considering the advantages of living in a city that is only a few kilometres away from the coast allowing me to bike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at all Very tempting Sorry Amsterdam but I think Irsquom in love

lsquoA much bigger bounty was looming on the horizonrsquo

17

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 3: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

E-mail sentinelpostgmailcomWebsite wwwthesentineleu

Contributors Sam van Dam Ananda Welij Sandy Duijsens Andrei Bar-buras Dirkje Bakker-Pierre Evelina Kvartunaite and Simon Joseph

EditorsGary Rudland amp Denson PierreDesign realisation and form Andrei Barburas amp No-OfficenlWebmasterwwwsio-bytestumblrcomWebhost Amsterjammincom

The Sentinel Amsterdam does not intentionally include unaccredited photosillustrations that are subject to copyright If you consider your copyright to have been infringed please contact us at sentinelpostgmailcom

3in this issue

The Sentinel Amsterdam

feature - p04

travel - p 38 cafeacutebar review - p 56 advertorial - p 64

star beer guide - p 70 sentinel recommended - p 72 spotted - p 74

technology - p 80 sport - p 84film review - p 75

empire of the sun

whistler Cafeacute parck save sandy

Jopen where is this in Amsterdam

user interface on the Volleyroom2c

lsquoQueen Beatrix came and there was so much symbolismrsquo

lsquoPredominantly visually defined by its old buildingsrsquo

health amp well-being - p 78

turquoise

lsquoA very specifically coloured and very well known gemstonersquo

lsquoVan Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch paintingrsquo

lsquoOur entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in timelsquo

Dam in 60 mins haarlem

the politics of royals

Bring back

the Gold room

perspectives - p16

trends - p 76

amsterdam city life - p 69

sport - p 88

more

Mary Magdalene ndash Jan van Scorel (1535)

4feature

Empireof thesun

By Denson Pierre

On Saturday 13 April Amsterdamrsquos Rijksmuseum (Empire Museum) officially re-opened to the public It was hard to believe that it had been more than ten years since this centrally located masterpiece of grand architecture closed its doors along with the highlight of any cycle trip around Amsterdam (the decorative and acoustically exciting arcade) Queen Beatrix came and there was so much symbolism involved with this particular royal opening given the imminent changes at Casa Orange-Nassau but even the queen was upstaged by nature itself

lsquoIt was hard to believe that it had been more than ten yearsrsquo

5feature

feature

The Milkmaid ndash Johannes Vermeer (1685-1690)

6

Articles in The Sentinel have chorused laments about the length and severity of the winter of 2012-2013 but as if on cue just as one of the leading museums in the world was about to re-open with fanfare and outdoor performances the sun burned through the weepy grey clouds to lift the temperature substantially along with local spirits for the first time in 2013

When the light is switched on in the sky above Amsterdam the city shows its schizophrenic nature Like some sort of East African savannah scene Dutch and international residents herd to terraces beaches and free public eventsspaces in tremendous numbers The grazing behaviour this year even included sports-oriented bars enjoying record takings as the sudden change of weather into warmth and vital life coincided with another monolithic Amsterdam and national institution Athletic Football Club Ajax versus Philips Sport (Vereniging) Association in a crucial clash The game took place in Eindhoven on the day after the queen visited and filled the airwaves with screams roars and jubilation much more of an everymanrsquos nature Ajax won and until late at night the snack bars were doing great business from the alcohol saturated sunshiny spring revellers making their way back home maybe dreaming that such culturally explosive weekends should happen much more often

Back to the Rijksmuseum I use the term Empire in the title because if it really wanted to be called the National(e) Museum it could also have ceremoniously changed its name The Dutch language in its purest form allows this Names are governed by etymology and the provenance of historical objects The Netherlands had been a colonial and crown conquest nation from very early on (as the contents of many exhibits shows) One way of looking at the material preserved so well and displayed so expertly is that too much of it was acquired by means that today would be considered criminal akin to looting or confidence trickery This is not to say that The Sentinel is in any way against museology but it is worth noting that the more ancient Japanese (the Dutch were the first occidental explorers to make meaningful contact with

this extreme edge of the orient) were said to have come up with a saying about their newly understood trading partners ldquoWhere a Dutchman has been not even grass grows anymorerdquo

The Rijksmuseumrsquos centrepiece remains the most masterful of masterfully technical works by Rembrandt van Rijn The Night Watch along with others of his works lsquoExpertsrsquo have speculated all sorts of theories as to why this long-dead amazing painter still fascinates and challenge us to explain why he was technically so extraordinary Neurobiologists have postulated stereo blindness to explain stories that he could draw perfectly straight lines freehand What is sure though is that some of the great works by Rembrandt will take you some time to fully consider the natural skill that must have been needed to produce them

In considering this and everything else about the Rijksmuseum I would just like to say something about admission In such a wealthy country of such a high-rate tax regime where we subsidise our national treasures so heavily anyway why is admission not free (as it was on Saturday) Now with the refurbished museum open and having such rave reviews it may seem like a silly question but I contend that if the authorities really wanted Dutch historical culture to be truly and easily accessible then a euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within this context I mean what makes the UK for instance so economically and culturally rich that it can offer free entry for all to its own National Museum

As always with the Rijksmuseum I am pretty sure I will make it there at least another four times over the next ten years as there is just so much to see and study Today as I write the sun shines brightly on the Kingdom of the Netherlands

lsquoOne of the leading museums in the world was about to re-openrsquo

7feature

feature

The Nightwatch ndash Rembrandt van Rijn (1642)

8

lsquoThe Rijksmuseumrsquos centrepiece remains the most masterful of masterfully technical works by

Rembrandtrsquo

9feature

Cuypers Library ndash (Restored)

10feature

lsquoHe could draw perfectlystraight lines freehandrsquo 11

feature

Japanese temple guards (circa 1300-1400) photo erik smits

12feature

lsquoA euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within

this contextrsquo

13feature

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

14classifieds

Artist thinker

Here are some of our local partners

Enter (click) to learn why they work with us

demerkplaatsnl

15classifieds

Dam in 60 minutes

By Sam van Dam

perspectives

Haarlem 16

perspectives

This time I am taking you on a trip to one of Amsterdamrsquos neighbouring cities and I apologise in advance for this particular journey being slightly further away than 60 minutes by bike unless you happen to be a sport cyclist Haarlem is certainly worth every extra minute spent in the saddle

Leaving Amsterdam via Westerpark a rather uneventful leg (apart from the regular jumps into a ditch to avoid colliding head-on with the gazillions of bike-racers) takes you past the villages of Zwanenburg and Halfweg which I largely ignored A much bigger bounty was looming on the horizon a place Irsquod only visited twice before and only briefly but which I could not get out of my head Haarlem the place after which the famous borough of New York is named After biking in a straight line for what seemed like hours I hit the outskirts of Haarlem and was immediately mesmerised by the attractive skyline dominated by various church towers and the massive circular roof of the old penitentiary Like Amsterdam Haarlem is predominantly visually defined by its old buildings and has a very relaxed vibe of ancient structures mixed with modern elements Unlike Amsterdam however it has a huge square in the city centre where the locals meet up for coffee and a chat when the sun comes out This creates a very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and peaceful As soon as I sat down in a comfy chair with a hot beverage I had a strong urge to make new friends and start a new life here Within minutes I had fallen in love with Haarlem and could not stop gaping at the historical buildings the charming people and the beauty surrounding them Donrsquot get me wrong I am a dedicated Amsterdammer and I never thought I could live anywhere else but suddenly it started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shake

I couldnrsquot help but smile at the locals and being the friendly folk they are they smiled back at me almost as if they could read my mind and were welcoming me to their lovely city All the while the sun happily illuminated the scene as if it was part of a general plan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitor As I sat there in the city centre with a grin on my face and a Latte Macchiato the local name for a koffie verkeerd in my hand I began to mentally apologise to my hometown for having thoughts like ldquoI could live here this is really nicerdquo

I forced myself to walk away from the scene desperately trying to find an ugly part of town that would put things back into some kind of perspective and allow me to return to Amsterdam with a sense of relief and a restored belief that I am actually living in the best city in the world But it didnrsquot work Haarlem seems to be an irresistibly pretty place I took a ride around town soaking up as much of the lovely atmosphere as possible counting the churches and watching the locals enjoying themselves sitting by the water or in one of the many cafeacutes With every minute that passed the gnawing feeling that I might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdam and be a new home grew stronger to the point of being overwhelming I forced my bike towards the city limits and slowly pedalled in the general direction of the Dam while a lonely tear ran down my cheek and my mind screamed at me ldquoWhat are you doing Turn aroundrdquo

I ignored the voice in my head and made it safely to the highway where I followed the cycle path to Amsterdam all the while considering the advantages of living in a city that is only a few kilometres away from the coast allowing me to bike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at all Very tempting Sorry Amsterdam but I think Irsquom in love

lsquoA much bigger bounty was looming on the horizonrsquo

17

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 4: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

Mary Magdalene ndash Jan van Scorel (1535)

4feature

Empireof thesun

By Denson Pierre

On Saturday 13 April Amsterdamrsquos Rijksmuseum (Empire Museum) officially re-opened to the public It was hard to believe that it had been more than ten years since this centrally located masterpiece of grand architecture closed its doors along with the highlight of any cycle trip around Amsterdam (the decorative and acoustically exciting arcade) Queen Beatrix came and there was so much symbolism involved with this particular royal opening given the imminent changes at Casa Orange-Nassau but even the queen was upstaged by nature itself

lsquoIt was hard to believe that it had been more than ten yearsrsquo

5feature

feature

The Milkmaid ndash Johannes Vermeer (1685-1690)

6

Articles in The Sentinel have chorused laments about the length and severity of the winter of 2012-2013 but as if on cue just as one of the leading museums in the world was about to re-open with fanfare and outdoor performances the sun burned through the weepy grey clouds to lift the temperature substantially along with local spirits for the first time in 2013

When the light is switched on in the sky above Amsterdam the city shows its schizophrenic nature Like some sort of East African savannah scene Dutch and international residents herd to terraces beaches and free public eventsspaces in tremendous numbers The grazing behaviour this year even included sports-oriented bars enjoying record takings as the sudden change of weather into warmth and vital life coincided with another monolithic Amsterdam and national institution Athletic Football Club Ajax versus Philips Sport (Vereniging) Association in a crucial clash The game took place in Eindhoven on the day after the queen visited and filled the airwaves with screams roars and jubilation much more of an everymanrsquos nature Ajax won and until late at night the snack bars were doing great business from the alcohol saturated sunshiny spring revellers making their way back home maybe dreaming that such culturally explosive weekends should happen much more often

Back to the Rijksmuseum I use the term Empire in the title because if it really wanted to be called the National(e) Museum it could also have ceremoniously changed its name The Dutch language in its purest form allows this Names are governed by etymology and the provenance of historical objects The Netherlands had been a colonial and crown conquest nation from very early on (as the contents of many exhibits shows) One way of looking at the material preserved so well and displayed so expertly is that too much of it was acquired by means that today would be considered criminal akin to looting or confidence trickery This is not to say that The Sentinel is in any way against museology but it is worth noting that the more ancient Japanese (the Dutch were the first occidental explorers to make meaningful contact with

this extreme edge of the orient) were said to have come up with a saying about their newly understood trading partners ldquoWhere a Dutchman has been not even grass grows anymorerdquo

The Rijksmuseumrsquos centrepiece remains the most masterful of masterfully technical works by Rembrandt van Rijn The Night Watch along with others of his works lsquoExpertsrsquo have speculated all sorts of theories as to why this long-dead amazing painter still fascinates and challenge us to explain why he was technically so extraordinary Neurobiologists have postulated stereo blindness to explain stories that he could draw perfectly straight lines freehand What is sure though is that some of the great works by Rembrandt will take you some time to fully consider the natural skill that must have been needed to produce them

In considering this and everything else about the Rijksmuseum I would just like to say something about admission In such a wealthy country of such a high-rate tax regime where we subsidise our national treasures so heavily anyway why is admission not free (as it was on Saturday) Now with the refurbished museum open and having such rave reviews it may seem like a silly question but I contend that if the authorities really wanted Dutch historical culture to be truly and easily accessible then a euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within this context I mean what makes the UK for instance so economically and culturally rich that it can offer free entry for all to its own National Museum

As always with the Rijksmuseum I am pretty sure I will make it there at least another four times over the next ten years as there is just so much to see and study Today as I write the sun shines brightly on the Kingdom of the Netherlands

lsquoOne of the leading museums in the world was about to re-openrsquo

7feature

feature

The Nightwatch ndash Rembrandt van Rijn (1642)

8

lsquoThe Rijksmuseumrsquos centrepiece remains the most masterful of masterfully technical works by

Rembrandtrsquo

9feature

Cuypers Library ndash (Restored)

10feature

lsquoHe could draw perfectlystraight lines freehandrsquo 11

feature

Japanese temple guards (circa 1300-1400) photo erik smits

12feature

lsquoA euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within

this contextrsquo

13feature

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

14classifieds

Artist thinker

Here are some of our local partners

Enter (click) to learn why they work with us

demerkplaatsnl

15classifieds

Dam in 60 minutes

By Sam van Dam

perspectives

Haarlem 16

perspectives

This time I am taking you on a trip to one of Amsterdamrsquos neighbouring cities and I apologise in advance for this particular journey being slightly further away than 60 minutes by bike unless you happen to be a sport cyclist Haarlem is certainly worth every extra minute spent in the saddle

Leaving Amsterdam via Westerpark a rather uneventful leg (apart from the regular jumps into a ditch to avoid colliding head-on with the gazillions of bike-racers) takes you past the villages of Zwanenburg and Halfweg which I largely ignored A much bigger bounty was looming on the horizon a place Irsquod only visited twice before and only briefly but which I could not get out of my head Haarlem the place after which the famous borough of New York is named After biking in a straight line for what seemed like hours I hit the outskirts of Haarlem and was immediately mesmerised by the attractive skyline dominated by various church towers and the massive circular roof of the old penitentiary Like Amsterdam Haarlem is predominantly visually defined by its old buildings and has a very relaxed vibe of ancient structures mixed with modern elements Unlike Amsterdam however it has a huge square in the city centre where the locals meet up for coffee and a chat when the sun comes out This creates a very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and peaceful As soon as I sat down in a comfy chair with a hot beverage I had a strong urge to make new friends and start a new life here Within minutes I had fallen in love with Haarlem and could not stop gaping at the historical buildings the charming people and the beauty surrounding them Donrsquot get me wrong I am a dedicated Amsterdammer and I never thought I could live anywhere else but suddenly it started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shake

I couldnrsquot help but smile at the locals and being the friendly folk they are they smiled back at me almost as if they could read my mind and were welcoming me to their lovely city All the while the sun happily illuminated the scene as if it was part of a general plan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitor As I sat there in the city centre with a grin on my face and a Latte Macchiato the local name for a koffie verkeerd in my hand I began to mentally apologise to my hometown for having thoughts like ldquoI could live here this is really nicerdquo

I forced myself to walk away from the scene desperately trying to find an ugly part of town that would put things back into some kind of perspective and allow me to return to Amsterdam with a sense of relief and a restored belief that I am actually living in the best city in the world But it didnrsquot work Haarlem seems to be an irresistibly pretty place I took a ride around town soaking up as much of the lovely atmosphere as possible counting the churches and watching the locals enjoying themselves sitting by the water or in one of the many cafeacutes With every minute that passed the gnawing feeling that I might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdam and be a new home grew stronger to the point of being overwhelming I forced my bike towards the city limits and slowly pedalled in the general direction of the Dam while a lonely tear ran down my cheek and my mind screamed at me ldquoWhat are you doing Turn aroundrdquo

I ignored the voice in my head and made it safely to the highway where I followed the cycle path to Amsterdam all the while considering the advantages of living in a city that is only a few kilometres away from the coast allowing me to bike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at all Very tempting Sorry Amsterdam but I think Irsquom in love

lsquoA much bigger bounty was looming on the horizonrsquo

17

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 5: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

Empireof thesun

By Denson Pierre

On Saturday 13 April Amsterdamrsquos Rijksmuseum (Empire Museum) officially re-opened to the public It was hard to believe that it had been more than ten years since this centrally located masterpiece of grand architecture closed its doors along with the highlight of any cycle trip around Amsterdam (the decorative and acoustically exciting arcade) Queen Beatrix came and there was so much symbolism involved with this particular royal opening given the imminent changes at Casa Orange-Nassau but even the queen was upstaged by nature itself

lsquoIt was hard to believe that it had been more than ten yearsrsquo

5feature

feature

The Milkmaid ndash Johannes Vermeer (1685-1690)

6

Articles in The Sentinel have chorused laments about the length and severity of the winter of 2012-2013 but as if on cue just as one of the leading museums in the world was about to re-open with fanfare and outdoor performances the sun burned through the weepy grey clouds to lift the temperature substantially along with local spirits for the first time in 2013

When the light is switched on in the sky above Amsterdam the city shows its schizophrenic nature Like some sort of East African savannah scene Dutch and international residents herd to terraces beaches and free public eventsspaces in tremendous numbers The grazing behaviour this year even included sports-oriented bars enjoying record takings as the sudden change of weather into warmth and vital life coincided with another monolithic Amsterdam and national institution Athletic Football Club Ajax versus Philips Sport (Vereniging) Association in a crucial clash The game took place in Eindhoven on the day after the queen visited and filled the airwaves with screams roars and jubilation much more of an everymanrsquos nature Ajax won and until late at night the snack bars were doing great business from the alcohol saturated sunshiny spring revellers making their way back home maybe dreaming that such culturally explosive weekends should happen much more often

Back to the Rijksmuseum I use the term Empire in the title because if it really wanted to be called the National(e) Museum it could also have ceremoniously changed its name The Dutch language in its purest form allows this Names are governed by etymology and the provenance of historical objects The Netherlands had been a colonial and crown conquest nation from very early on (as the contents of many exhibits shows) One way of looking at the material preserved so well and displayed so expertly is that too much of it was acquired by means that today would be considered criminal akin to looting or confidence trickery This is not to say that The Sentinel is in any way against museology but it is worth noting that the more ancient Japanese (the Dutch were the first occidental explorers to make meaningful contact with

this extreme edge of the orient) were said to have come up with a saying about their newly understood trading partners ldquoWhere a Dutchman has been not even grass grows anymorerdquo

The Rijksmuseumrsquos centrepiece remains the most masterful of masterfully technical works by Rembrandt van Rijn The Night Watch along with others of his works lsquoExpertsrsquo have speculated all sorts of theories as to why this long-dead amazing painter still fascinates and challenge us to explain why he was technically so extraordinary Neurobiologists have postulated stereo blindness to explain stories that he could draw perfectly straight lines freehand What is sure though is that some of the great works by Rembrandt will take you some time to fully consider the natural skill that must have been needed to produce them

In considering this and everything else about the Rijksmuseum I would just like to say something about admission In such a wealthy country of such a high-rate tax regime where we subsidise our national treasures so heavily anyway why is admission not free (as it was on Saturday) Now with the refurbished museum open and having such rave reviews it may seem like a silly question but I contend that if the authorities really wanted Dutch historical culture to be truly and easily accessible then a euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within this context I mean what makes the UK for instance so economically and culturally rich that it can offer free entry for all to its own National Museum

As always with the Rijksmuseum I am pretty sure I will make it there at least another four times over the next ten years as there is just so much to see and study Today as I write the sun shines brightly on the Kingdom of the Netherlands

lsquoOne of the leading museums in the world was about to re-openrsquo

7feature

feature

The Nightwatch ndash Rembrandt van Rijn (1642)

8

lsquoThe Rijksmuseumrsquos centrepiece remains the most masterful of masterfully technical works by

Rembrandtrsquo

9feature

Cuypers Library ndash (Restored)

10feature

lsquoHe could draw perfectlystraight lines freehandrsquo 11

feature

Japanese temple guards (circa 1300-1400) photo erik smits

12feature

lsquoA euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within

this contextrsquo

13feature

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

14classifieds

Artist thinker

Here are some of our local partners

Enter (click) to learn why they work with us

demerkplaatsnl

15classifieds

Dam in 60 minutes

By Sam van Dam

perspectives

Haarlem 16

perspectives

This time I am taking you on a trip to one of Amsterdamrsquos neighbouring cities and I apologise in advance for this particular journey being slightly further away than 60 minutes by bike unless you happen to be a sport cyclist Haarlem is certainly worth every extra minute spent in the saddle

Leaving Amsterdam via Westerpark a rather uneventful leg (apart from the regular jumps into a ditch to avoid colliding head-on with the gazillions of bike-racers) takes you past the villages of Zwanenburg and Halfweg which I largely ignored A much bigger bounty was looming on the horizon a place Irsquod only visited twice before and only briefly but which I could not get out of my head Haarlem the place after which the famous borough of New York is named After biking in a straight line for what seemed like hours I hit the outskirts of Haarlem and was immediately mesmerised by the attractive skyline dominated by various church towers and the massive circular roof of the old penitentiary Like Amsterdam Haarlem is predominantly visually defined by its old buildings and has a very relaxed vibe of ancient structures mixed with modern elements Unlike Amsterdam however it has a huge square in the city centre where the locals meet up for coffee and a chat when the sun comes out This creates a very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and peaceful As soon as I sat down in a comfy chair with a hot beverage I had a strong urge to make new friends and start a new life here Within minutes I had fallen in love with Haarlem and could not stop gaping at the historical buildings the charming people and the beauty surrounding them Donrsquot get me wrong I am a dedicated Amsterdammer and I never thought I could live anywhere else but suddenly it started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shake

I couldnrsquot help but smile at the locals and being the friendly folk they are they smiled back at me almost as if they could read my mind and were welcoming me to their lovely city All the while the sun happily illuminated the scene as if it was part of a general plan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitor As I sat there in the city centre with a grin on my face and a Latte Macchiato the local name for a koffie verkeerd in my hand I began to mentally apologise to my hometown for having thoughts like ldquoI could live here this is really nicerdquo

I forced myself to walk away from the scene desperately trying to find an ugly part of town that would put things back into some kind of perspective and allow me to return to Amsterdam with a sense of relief and a restored belief that I am actually living in the best city in the world But it didnrsquot work Haarlem seems to be an irresistibly pretty place I took a ride around town soaking up as much of the lovely atmosphere as possible counting the churches and watching the locals enjoying themselves sitting by the water or in one of the many cafeacutes With every minute that passed the gnawing feeling that I might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdam and be a new home grew stronger to the point of being overwhelming I forced my bike towards the city limits and slowly pedalled in the general direction of the Dam while a lonely tear ran down my cheek and my mind screamed at me ldquoWhat are you doing Turn aroundrdquo

I ignored the voice in my head and made it safely to the highway where I followed the cycle path to Amsterdam all the while considering the advantages of living in a city that is only a few kilometres away from the coast allowing me to bike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at all Very tempting Sorry Amsterdam but I think Irsquom in love

lsquoA much bigger bounty was looming on the horizonrsquo

17

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 6: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

feature

The Milkmaid ndash Johannes Vermeer (1685-1690)

6

Articles in The Sentinel have chorused laments about the length and severity of the winter of 2012-2013 but as if on cue just as one of the leading museums in the world was about to re-open with fanfare and outdoor performances the sun burned through the weepy grey clouds to lift the temperature substantially along with local spirits for the first time in 2013

When the light is switched on in the sky above Amsterdam the city shows its schizophrenic nature Like some sort of East African savannah scene Dutch and international residents herd to terraces beaches and free public eventsspaces in tremendous numbers The grazing behaviour this year even included sports-oriented bars enjoying record takings as the sudden change of weather into warmth and vital life coincided with another monolithic Amsterdam and national institution Athletic Football Club Ajax versus Philips Sport (Vereniging) Association in a crucial clash The game took place in Eindhoven on the day after the queen visited and filled the airwaves with screams roars and jubilation much more of an everymanrsquos nature Ajax won and until late at night the snack bars were doing great business from the alcohol saturated sunshiny spring revellers making their way back home maybe dreaming that such culturally explosive weekends should happen much more often

Back to the Rijksmuseum I use the term Empire in the title because if it really wanted to be called the National(e) Museum it could also have ceremoniously changed its name The Dutch language in its purest form allows this Names are governed by etymology and the provenance of historical objects The Netherlands had been a colonial and crown conquest nation from very early on (as the contents of many exhibits shows) One way of looking at the material preserved so well and displayed so expertly is that too much of it was acquired by means that today would be considered criminal akin to looting or confidence trickery This is not to say that The Sentinel is in any way against museology but it is worth noting that the more ancient Japanese (the Dutch were the first occidental explorers to make meaningful contact with

this extreme edge of the orient) were said to have come up with a saying about their newly understood trading partners ldquoWhere a Dutchman has been not even grass grows anymorerdquo

The Rijksmuseumrsquos centrepiece remains the most masterful of masterfully technical works by Rembrandt van Rijn The Night Watch along with others of his works lsquoExpertsrsquo have speculated all sorts of theories as to why this long-dead amazing painter still fascinates and challenge us to explain why he was technically so extraordinary Neurobiologists have postulated stereo blindness to explain stories that he could draw perfectly straight lines freehand What is sure though is that some of the great works by Rembrandt will take you some time to fully consider the natural skill that must have been needed to produce them

In considering this and everything else about the Rijksmuseum I would just like to say something about admission In such a wealthy country of such a high-rate tax regime where we subsidise our national treasures so heavily anyway why is admission not free (as it was on Saturday) Now with the refurbished museum open and having such rave reviews it may seem like a silly question but I contend that if the authorities really wanted Dutch historical culture to be truly and easily accessible then a euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within this context I mean what makes the UK for instance so economically and culturally rich that it can offer free entry for all to its own National Museum

As always with the Rijksmuseum I am pretty sure I will make it there at least another four times over the next ten years as there is just so much to see and study Today as I write the sun shines brightly on the Kingdom of the Netherlands

lsquoOne of the leading museums in the world was about to re-openrsquo

7feature

feature

The Nightwatch ndash Rembrandt van Rijn (1642)

8

lsquoThe Rijksmuseumrsquos centrepiece remains the most masterful of masterfully technical works by

Rembrandtrsquo

9feature

Cuypers Library ndash (Restored)

10feature

lsquoHe could draw perfectlystraight lines freehandrsquo 11

feature

Japanese temple guards (circa 1300-1400) photo erik smits

12feature

lsquoA euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within

this contextrsquo

13feature

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

14classifieds

Artist thinker

Here are some of our local partners

Enter (click) to learn why they work with us

demerkplaatsnl

15classifieds

Dam in 60 minutes

By Sam van Dam

perspectives

Haarlem 16

perspectives

This time I am taking you on a trip to one of Amsterdamrsquos neighbouring cities and I apologise in advance for this particular journey being slightly further away than 60 minutes by bike unless you happen to be a sport cyclist Haarlem is certainly worth every extra minute spent in the saddle

Leaving Amsterdam via Westerpark a rather uneventful leg (apart from the regular jumps into a ditch to avoid colliding head-on with the gazillions of bike-racers) takes you past the villages of Zwanenburg and Halfweg which I largely ignored A much bigger bounty was looming on the horizon a place Irsquod only visited twice before and only briefly but which I could not get out of my head Haarlem the place after which the famous borough of New York is named After biking in a straight line for what seemed like hours I hit the outskirts of Haarlem and was immediately mesmerised by the attractive skyline dominated by various church towers and the massive circular roof of the old penitentiary Like Amsterdam Haarlem is predominantly visually defined by its old buildings and has a very relaxed vibe of ancient structures mixed with modern elements Unlike Amsterdam however it has a huge square in the city centre where the locals meet up for coffee and a chat when the sun comes out This creates a very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and peaceful As soon as I sat down in a comfy chair with a hot beverage I had a strong urge to make new friends and start a new life here Within minutes I had fallen in love with Haarlem and could not stop gaping at the historical buildings the charming people and the beauty surrounding them Donrsquot get me wrong I am a dedicated Amsterdammer and I never thought I could live anywhere else but suddenly it started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shake

I couldnrsquot help but smile at the locals and being the friendly folk they are they smiled back at me almost as if they could read my mind and were welcoming me to their lovely city All the while the sun happily illuminated the scene as if it was part of a general plan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitor As I sat there in the city centre with a grin on my face and a Latte Macchiato the local name for a koffie verkeerd in my hand I began to mentally apologise to my hometown for having thoughts like ldquoI could live here this is really nicerdquo

I forced myself to walk away from the scene desperately trying to find an ugly part of town that would put things back into some kind of perspective and allow me to return to Amsterdam with a sense of relief and a restored belief that I am actually living in the best city in the world But it didnrsquot work Haarlem seems to be an irresistibly pretty place I took a ride around town soaking up as much of the lovely atmosphere as possible counting the churches and watching the locals enjoying themselves sitting by the water or in one of the many cafeacutes With every minute that passed the gnawing feeling that I might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdam and be a new home grew stronger to the point of being overwhelming I forced my bike towards the city limits and slowly pedalled in the general direction of the Dam while a lonely tear ran down my cheek and my mind screamed at me ldquoWhat are you doing Turn aroundrdquo

I ignored the voice in my head and made it safely to the highway where I followed the cycle path to Amsterdam all the while considering the advantages of living in a city that is only a few kilometres away from the coast allowing me to bike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at all Very tempting Sorry Amsterdam but I think Irsquom in love

lsquoA much bigger bounty was looming on the horizonrsquo

17

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 7: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

Articles in The Sentinel have chorused laments about the length and severity of the winter of 2012-2013 but as if on cue just as one of the leading museums in the world was about to re-open with fanfare and outdoor performances the sun burned through the weepy grey clouds to lift the temperature substantially along with local spirits for the first time in 2013

When the light is switched on in the sky above Amsterdam the city shows its schizophrenic nature Like some sort of East African savannah scene Dutch and international residents herd to terraces beaches and free public eventsspaces in tremendous numbers The grazing behaviour this year even included sports-oriented bars enjoying record takings as the sudden change of weather into warmth and vital life coincided with another monolithic Amsterdam and national institution Athletic Football Club Ajax versus Philips Sport (Vereniging) Association in a crucial clash The game took place in Eindhoven on the day after the queen visited and filled the airwaves with screams roars and jubilation much more of an everymanrsquos nature Ajax won and until late at night the snack bars were doing great business from the alcohol saturated sunshiny spring revellers making their way back home maybe dreaming that such culturally explosive weekends should happen much more often

Back to the Rijksmuseum I use the term Empire in the title because if it really wanted to be called the National(e) Museum it could also have ceremoniously changed its name The Dutch language in its purest form allows this Names are governed by etymology and the provenance of historical objects The Netherlands had been a colonial and crown conquest nation from very early on (as the contents of many exhibits shows) One way of looking at the material preserved so well and displayed so expertly is that too much of it was acquired by means that today would be considered criminal akin to looting or confidence trickery This is not to say that The Sentinel is in any way against museology but it is worth noting that the more ancient Japanese (the Dutch were the first occidental explorers to make meaningful contact with

this extreme edge of the orient) were said to have come up with a saying about their newly understood trading partners ldquoWhere a Dutchman has been not even grass grows anymorerdquo

The Rijksmuseumrsquos centrepiece remains the most masterful of masterfully technical works by Rembrandt van Rijn The Night Watch along with others of his works lsquoExpertsrsquo have speculated all sorts of theories as to why this long-dead amazing painter still fascinates and challenge us to explain why he was technically so extraordinary Neurobiologists have postulated stereo blindness to explain stories that he could draw perfectly straight lines freehand What is sure though is that some of the great works by Rembrandt will take you some time to fully consider the natural skill that must have been needed to produce them

In considering this and everything else about the Rijksmuseum I would just like to say something about admission In such a wealthy country of such a high-rate tax regime where we subsidise our national treasures so heavily anyway why is admission not free (as it was on Saturday) Now with the refurbished museum open and having such rave reviews it may seem like a silly question but I contend that if the authorities really wanted Dutch historical culture to be truly and easily accessible then a euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within this context I mean what makes the UK for instance so economically and culturally rich that it can offer free entry for all to its own National Museum

As always with the Rijksmuseum I am pretty sure I will make it there at least another four times over the next ten years as there is just so much to see and study Today as I write the sun shines brightly on the Kingdom of the Netherlands

lsquoOne of the leading museums in the world was about to re-openrsquo

7feature

feature

The Nightwatch ndash Rembrandt van Rijn (1642)

8

lsquoThe Rijksmuseumrsquos centrepiece remains the most masterful of masterfully technical works by

Rembrandtrsquo

9feature

Cuypers Library ndash (Restored)

10feature

lsquoHe could draw perfectlystraight lines freehandrsquo 11

feature

Japanese temple guards (circa 1300-1400) photo erik smits

12feature

lsquoA euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within

this contextrsquo

13feature

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

14classifieds

Artist thinker

Here are some of our local partners

Enter (click) to learn why they work with us

demerkplaatsnl

15classifieds

Dam in 60 minutes

By Sam van Dam

perspectives

Haarlem 16

perspectives

This time I am taking you on a trip to one of Amsterdamrsquos neighbouring cities and I apologise in advance for this particular journey being slightly further away than 60 minutes by bike unless you happen to be a sport cyclist Haarlem is certainly worth every extra minute spent in the saddle

Leaving Amsterdam via Westerpark a rather uneventful leg (apart from the regular jumps into a ditch to avoid colliding head-on with the gazillions of bike-racers) takes you past the villages of Zwanenburg and Halfweg which I largely ignored A much bigger bounty was looming on the horizon a place Irsquod only visited twice before and only briefly but which I could not get out of my head Haarlem the place after which the famous borough of New York is named After biking in a straight line for what seemed like hours I hit the outskirts of Haarlem and was immediately mesmerised by the attractive skyline dominated by various church towers and the massive circular roof of the old penitentiary Like Amsterdam Haarlem is predominantly visually defined by its old buildings and has a very relaxed vibe of ancient structures mixed with modern elements Unlike Amsterdam however it has a huge square in the city centre where the locals meet up for coffee and a chat when the sun comes out This creates a very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and peaceful As soon as I sat down in a comfy chair with a hot beverage I had a strong urge to make new friends and start a new life here Within minutes I had fallen in love with Haarlem and could not stop gaping at the historical buildings the charming people and the beauty surrounding them Donrsquot get me wrong I am a dedicated Amsterdammer and I never thought I could live anywhere else but suddenly it started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shake

I couldnrsquot help but smile at the locals and being the friendly folk they are they smiled back at me almost as if they could read my mind and were welcoming me to their lovely city All the while the sun happily illuminated the scene as if it was part of a general plan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitor As I sat there in the city centre with a grin on my face and a Latte Macchiato the local name for a koffie verkeerd in my hand I began to mentally apologise to my hometown for having thoughts like ldquoI could live here this is really nicerdquo

I forced myself to walk away from the scene desperately trying to find an ugly part of town that would put things back into some kind of perspective and allow me to return to Amsterdam with a sense of relief and a restored belief that I am actually living in the best city in the world But it didnrsquot work Haarlem seems to be an irresistibly pretty place I took a ride around town soaking up as much of the lovely atmosphere as possible counting the churches and watching the locals enjoying themselves sitting by the water or in one of the many cafeacutes With every minute that passed the gnawing feeling that I might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdam and be a new home grew stronger to the point of being overwhelming I forced my bike towards the city limits and slowly pedalled in the general direction of the Dam while a lonely tear ran down my cheek and my mind screamed at me ldquoWhat are you doing Turn aroundrdquo

I ignored the voice in my head and made it safely to the highway where I followed the cycle path to Amsterdam all the while considering the advantages of living in a city that is only a few kilometres away from the coast allowing me to bike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at all Very tempting Sorry Amsterdam but I think Irsquom in love

lsquoA much bigger bounty was looming on the horizonrsquo

17

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 8: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

feature

The Nightwatch ndash Rembrandt van Rijn (1642)

8

lsquoThe Rijksmuseumrsquos centrepiece remains the most masterful of masterfully technical works by

Rembrandtrsquo

9feature

Cuypers Library ndash (Restored)

10feature

lsquoHe could draw perfectlystraight lines freehandrsquo 11

feature

Japanese temple guards (circa 1300-1400) photo erik smits

12feature

lsquoA euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within

this contextrsquo

13feature

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

14classifieds

Artist thinker

Here are some of our local partners

Enter (click) to learn why they work with us

demerkplaatsnl

15classifieds

Dam in 60 minutes

By Sam van Dam

perspectives

Haarlem 16

perspectives

This time I am taking you on a trip to one of Amsterdamrsquos neighbouring cities and I apologise in advance for this particular journey being slightly further away than 60 minutes by bike unless you happen to be a sport cyclist Haarlem is certainly worth every extra minute spent in the saddle

Leaving Amsterdam via Westerpark a rather uneventful leg (apart from the regular jumps into a ditch to avoid colliding head-on with the gazillions of bike-racers) takes you past the villages of Zwanenburg and Halfweg which I largely ignored A much bigger bounty was looming on the horizon a place Irsquod only visited twice before and only briefly but which I could not get out of my head Haarlem the place after which the famous borough of New York is named After biking in a straight line for what seemed like hours I hit the outskirts of Haarlem and was immediately mesmerised by the attractive skyline dominated by various church towers and the massive circular roof of the old penitentiary Like Amsterdam Haarlem is predominantly visually defined by its old buildings and has a very relaxed vibe of ancient structures mixed with modern elements Unlike Amsterdam however it has a huge square in the city centre where the locals meet up for coffee and a chat when the sun comes out This creates a very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and peaceful As soon as I sat down in a comfy chair with a hot beverage I had a strong urge to make new friends and start a new life here Within minutes I had fallen in love with Haarlem and could not stop gaping at the historical buildings the charming people and the beauty surrounding them Donrsquot get me wrong I am a dedicated Amsterdammer and I never thought I could live anywhere else but suddenly it started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shake

I couldnrsquot help but smile at the locals and being the friendly folk they are they smiled back at me almost as if they could read my mind and were welcoming me to their lovely city All the while the sun happily illuminated the scene as if it was part of a general plan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitor As I sat there in the city centre with a grin on my face and a Latte Macchiato the local name for a koffie verkeerd in my hand I began to mentally apologise to my hometown for having thoughts like ldquoI could live here this is really nicerdquo

I forced myself to walk away from the scene desperately trying to find an ugly part of town that would put things back into some kind of perspective and allow me to return to Amsterdam with a sense of relief and a restored belief that I am actually living in the best city in the world But it didnrsquot work Haarlem seems to be an irresistibly pretty place I took a ride around town soaking up as much of the lovely atmosphere as possible counting the churches and watching the locals enjoying themselves sitting by the water or in one of the many cafeacutes With every minute that passed the gnawing feeling that I might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdam and be a new home grew stronger to the point of being overwhelming I forced my bike towards the city limits and slowly pedalled in the general direction of the Dam while a lonely tear ran down my cheek and my mind screamed at me ldquoWhat are you doing Turn aroundrdquo

I ignored the voice in my head and made it safely to the highway where I followed the cycle path to Amsterdam all the while considering the advantages of living in a city that is only a few kilometres away from the coast allowing me to bike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at all Very tempting Sorry Amsterdam but I think Irsquom in love

lsquoA much bigger bounty was looming on the horizonrsquo

17

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 9: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

lsquoThe Rijksmuseumrsquos centrepiece remains the most masterful of masterfully technical works by

Rembrandtrsquo

9feature

Cuypers Library ndash (Restored)

10feature

lsquoHe could draw perfectlystraight lines freehandrsquo 11

feature

Japanese temple guards (circa 1300-1400) photo erik smits

12feature

lsquoA euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within

this contextrsquo

13feature

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

14classifieds

Artist thinker

Here are some of our local partners

Enter (click) to learn why they work with us

demerkplaatsnl

15classifieds

Dam in 60 minutes

By Sam van Dam

perspectives

Haarlem 16

perspectives

This time I am taking you on a trip to one of Amsterdamrsquos neighbouring cities and I apologise in advance for this particular journey being slightly further away than 60 minutes by bike unless you happen to be a sport cyclist Haarlem is certainly worth every extra minute spent in the saddle

Leaving Amsterdam via Westerpark a rather uneventful leg (apart from the regular jumps into a ditch to avoid colliding head-on with the gazillions of bike-racers) takes you past the villages of Zwanenburg and Halfweg which I largely ignored A much bigger bounty was looming on the horizon a place Irsquod only visited twice before and only briefly but which I could not get out of my head Haarlem the place after which the famous borough of New York is named After biking in a straight line for what seemed like hours I hit the outskirts of Haarlem and was immediately mesmerised by the attractive skyline dominated by various church towers and the massive circular roof of the old penitentiary Like Amsterdam Haarlem is predominantly visually defined by its old buildings and has a very relaxed vibe of ancient structures mixed with modern elements Unlike Amsterdam however it has a huge square in the city centre where the locals meet up for coffee and a chat when the sun comes out This creates a very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and peaceful As soon as I sat down in a comfy chair with a hot beverage I had a strong urge to make new friends and start a new life here Within minutes I had fallen in love with Haarlem and could not stop gaping at the historical buildings the charming people and the beauty surrounding them Donrsquot get me wrong I am a dedicated Amsterdammer and I never thought I could live anywhere else but suddenly it started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shake

I couldnrsquot help but smile at the locals and being the friendly folk they are they smiled back at me almost as if they could read my mind and were welcoming me to their lovely city All the while the sun happily illuminated the scene as if it was part of a general plan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitor As I sat there in the city centre with a grin on my face and a Latte Macchiato the local name for a koffie verkeerd in my hand I began to mentally apologise to my hometown for having thoughts like ldquoI could live here this is really nicerdquo

I forced myself to walk away from the scene desperately trying to find an ugly part of town that would put things back into some kind of perspective and allow me to return to Amsterdam with a sense of relief and a restored belief that I am actually living in the best city in the world But it didnrsquot work Haarlem seems to be an irresistibly pretty place I took a ride around town soaking up as much of the lovely atmosphere as possible counting the churches and watching the locals enjoying themselves sitting by the water or in one of the many cafeacutes With every minute that passed the gnawing feeling that I might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdam and be a new home grew stronger to the point of being overwhelming I forced my bike towards the city limits and slowly pedalled in the general direction of the Dam while a lonely tear ran down my cheek and my mind screamed at me ldquoWhat are you doing Turn aroundrdquo

I ignored the voice in my head and made it safely to the highway where I followed the cycle path to Amsterdam all the while considering the advantages of living in a city that is only a few kilometres away from the coast allowing me to bike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at all Very tempting Sorry Amsterdam but I think Irsquom in love

lsquoA much bigger bounty was looming on the horizonrsquo

17

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 10: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

Cuypers Library ndash (Restored)

10feature

lsquoHe could draw perfectlystraight lines freehandrsquo 11

feature

Japanese temple guards (circa 1300-1400) photo erik smits

12feature

lsquoA euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within

this contextrsquo

13feature

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

14classifieds

Artist thinker

Here are some of our local partners

Enter (click) to learn why they work with us

demerkplaatsnl

15classifieds

Dam in 60 minutes

By Sam van Dam

perspectives

Haarlem 16

perspectives

This time I am taking you on a trip to one of Amsterdamrsquos neighbouring cities and I apologise in advance for this particular journey being slightly further away than 60 minutes by bike unless you happen to be a sport cyclist Haarlem is certainly worth every extra minute spent in the saddle

Leaving Amsterdam via Westerpark a rather uneventful leg (apart from the regular jumps into a ditch to avoid colliding head-on with the gazillions of bike-racers) takes you past the villages of Zwanenburg and Halfweg which I largely ignored A much bigger bounty was looming on the horizon a place Irsquod only visited twice before and only briefly but which I could not get out of my head Haarlem the place after which the famous borough of New York is named After biking in a straight line for what seemed like hours I hit the outskirts of Haarlem and was immediately mesmerised by the attractive skyline dominated by various church towers and the massive circular roof of the old penitentiary Like Amsterdam Haarlem is predominantly visually defined by its old buildings and has a very relaxed vibe of ancient structures mixed with modern elements Unlike Amsterdam however it has a huge square in the city centre where the locals meet up for coffee and a chat when the sun comes out This creates a very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and peaceful As soon as I sat down in a comfy chair with a hot beverage I had a strong urge to make new friends and start a new life here Within minutes I had fallen in love with Haarlem and could not stop gaping at the historical buildings the charming people and the beauty surrounding them Donrsquot get me wrong I am a dedicated Amsterdammer and I never thought I could live anywhere else but suddenly it started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shake

I couldnrsquot help but smile at the locals and being the friendly folk they are they smiled back at me almost as if they could read my mind and were welcoming me to their lovely city All the while the sun happily illuminated the scene as if it was part of a general plan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitor As I sat there in the city centre with a grin on my face and a Latte Macchiato the local name for a koffie verkeerd in my hand I began to mentally apologise to my hometown for having thoughts like ldquoI could live here this is really nicerdquo

I forced myself to walk away from the scene desperately trying to find an ugly part of town that would put things back into some kind of perspective and allow me to return to Amsterdam with a sense of relief and a restored belief that I am actually living in the best city in the world But it didnrsquot work Haarlem seems to be an irresistibly pretty place I took a ride around town soaking up as much of the lovely atmosphere as possible counting the churches and watching the locals enjoying themselves sitting by the water or in one of the many cafeacutes With every minute that passed the gnawing feeling that I might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdam and be a new home grew stronger to the point of being overwhelming I forced my bike towards the city limits and slowly pedalled in the general direction of the Dam while a lonely tear ran down my cheek and my mind screamed at me ldquoWhat are you doing Turn aroundrdquo

I ignored the voice in my head and made it safely to the highway where I followed the cycle path to Amsterdam all the while considering the advantages of living in a city that is only a few kilometres away from the coast allowing me to bike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at all Very tempting Sorry Amsterdam but I think Irsquom in love

lsquoA much bigger bounty was looming on the horizonrsquo

17

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 11: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

lsquoHe could draw perfectlystraight lines freehandrsquo 11

feature

Japanese temple guards (circa 1300-1400) photo erik smits

12feature

lsquoA euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within

this contextrsquo

13feature

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

14classifieds

Artist thinker

Here are some of our local partners

Enter (click) to learn why they work with us

demerkplaatsnl

15classifieds

Dam in 60 minutes

By Sam van Dam

perspectives

Haarlem 16

perspectives

This time I am taking you on a trip to one of Amsterdamrsquos neighbouring cities and I apologise in advance for this particular journey being slightly further away than 60 minutes by bike unless you happen to be a sport cyclist Haarlem is certainly worth every extra minute spent in the saddle

Leaving Amsterdam via Westerpark a rather uneventful leg (apart from the regular jumps into a ditch to avoid colliding head-on with the gazillions of bike-racers) takes you past the villages of Zwanenburg and Halfweg which I largely ignored A much bigger bounty was looming on the horizon a place Irsquod only visited twice before and only briefly but which I could not get out of my head Haarlem the place after which the famous borough of New York is named After biking in a straight line for what seemed like hours I hit the outskirts of Haarlem and was immediately mesmerised by the attractive skyline dominated by various church towers and the massive circular roof of the old penitentiary Like Amsterdam Haarlem is predominantly visually defined by its old buildings and has a very relaxed vibe of ancient structures mixed with modern elements Unlike Amsterdam however it has a huge square in the city centre where the locals meet up for coffee and a chat when the sun comes out This creates a very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and peaceful As soon as I sat down in a comfy chair with a hot beverage I had a strong urge to make new friends and start a new life here Within minutes I had fallen in love with Haarlem and could not stop gaping at the historical buildings the charming people and the beauty surrounding them Donrsquot get me wrong I am a dedicated Amsterdammer and I never thought I could live anywhere else but suddenly it started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shake

I couldnrsquot help but smile at the locals and being the friendly folk they are they smiled back at me almost as if they could read my mind and were welcoming me to their lovely city All the while the sun happily illuminated the scene as if it was part of a general plan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitor As I sat there in the city centre with a grin on my face and a Latte Macchiato the local name for a koffie verkeerd in my hand I began to mentally apologise to my hometown for having thoughts like ldquoI could live here this is really nicerdquo

I forced myself to walk away from the scene desperately trying to find an ugly part of town that would put things back into some kind of perspective and allow me to return to Amsterdam with a sense of relief and a restored belief that I am actually living in the best city in the world But it didnrsquot work Haarlem seems to be an irresistibly pretty place I took a ride around town soaking up as much of the lovely atmosphere as possible counting the churches and watching the locals enjoying themselves sitting by the water or in one of the many cafeacutes With every minute that passed the gnawing feeling that I might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdam and be a new home grew stronger to the point of being overwhelming I forced my bike towards the city limits and slowly pedalled in the general direction of the Dam while a lonely tear ran down my cheek and my mind screamed at me ldquoWhat are you doing Turn aroundrdquo

I ignored the voice in my head and made it safely to the highway where I followed the cycle path to Amsterdam all the while considering the advantages of living in a city that is only a few kilometres away from the coast allowing me to bike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at all Very tempting Sorry Amsterdam but I think Irsquom in love

lsquoA much bigger bounty was looming on the horizonrsquo

17

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 12: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

Japanese temple guards (circa 1300-1400) photo erik smits

12feature

lsquoA euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within

this contextrsquo

13feature

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

14classifieds

Artist thinker

Here are some of our local partners

Enter (click) to learn why they work with us

demerkplaatsnl

15classifieds

Dam in 60 minutes

By Sam van Dam

perspectives

Haarlem 16

perspectives

This time I am taking you on a trip to one of Amsterdamrsquos neighbouring cities and I apologise in advance for this particular journey being slightly further away than 60 minutes by bike unless you happen to be a sport cyclist Haarlem is certainly worth every extra minute spent in the saddle

Leaving Amsterdam via Westerpark a rather uneventful leg (apart from the regular jumps into a ditch to avoid colliding head-on with the gazillions of bike-racers) takes you past the villages of Zwanenburg and Halfweg which I largely ignored A much bigger bounty was looming on the horizon a place Irsquod only visited twice before and only briefly but which I could not get out of my head Haarlem the place after which the famous borough of New York is named After biking in a straight line for what seemed like hours I hit the outskirts of Haarlem and was immediately mesmerised by the attractive skyline dominated by various church towers and the massive circular roof of the old penitentiary Like Amsterdam Haarlem is predominantly visually defined by its old buildings and has a very relaxed vibe of ancient structures mixed with modern elements Unlike Amsterdam however it has a huge square in the city centre where the locals meet up for coffee and a chat when the sun comes out This creates a very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and peaceful As soon as I sat down in a comfy chair with a hot beverage I had a strong urge to make new friends and start a new life here Within minutes I had fallen in love with Haarlem and could not stop gaping at the historical buildings the charming people and the beauty surrounding them Donrsquot get me wrong I am a dedicated Amsterdammer and I never thought I could live anywhere else but suddenly it started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shake

I couldnrsquot help but smile at the locals and being the friendly folk they are they smiled back at me almost as if they could read my mind and were welcoming me to their lovely city All the while the sun happily illuminated the scene as if it was part of a general plan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitor As I sat there in the city centre with a grin on my face and a Latte Macchiato the local name for a koffie verkeerd in my hand I began to mentally apologise to my hometown for having thoughts like ldquoI could live here this is really nicerdquo

I forced myself to walk away from the scene desperately trying to find an ugly part of town that would put things back into some kind of perspective and allow me to return to Amsterdam with a sense of relief and a restored belief that I am actually living in the best city in the world But it didnrsquot work Haarlem seems to be an irresistibly pretty place I took a ride around town soaking up as much of the lovely atmosphere as possible counting the churches and watching the locals enjoying themselves sitting by the water or in one of the many cafeacutes With every minute that passed the gnawing feeling that I might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdam and be a new home grew stronger to the point of being overwhelming I forced my bike towards the city limits and slowly pedalled in the general direction of the Dam while a lonely tear ran down my cheek and my mind screamed at me ldquoWhat are you doing Turn aroundrdquo

I ignored the voice in my head and made it safely to the highway where I followed the cycle path to Amsterdam all the while considering the advantages of living in a city that is only a few kilometres away from the coast allowing me to bike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at all Very tempting Sorry Amsterdam but I think Irsquom in love

lsquoA much bigger bounty was looming on the horizonrsquo

17

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 13: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

lsquoA euro15 entrance fee for a curious adult seems scandalous within

this contextrsquo

13feature

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

14classifieds

Artist thinker

Here are some of our local partners

Enter (click) to learn why they work with us

demerkplaatsnl

15classifieds

Dam in 60 minutes

By Sam van Dam

perspectives

Haarlem 16

perspectives

This time I am taking you on a trip to one of Amsterdamrsquos neighbouring cities and I apologise in advance for this particular journey being slightly further away than 60 minutes by bike unless you happen to be a sport cyclist Haarlem is certainly worth every extra minute spent in the saddle

Leaving Amsterdam via Westerpark a rather uneventful leg (apart from the regular jumps into a ditch to avoid colliding head-on with the gazillions of bike-racers) takes you past the villages of Zwanenburg and Halfweg which I largely ignored A much bigger bounty was looming on the horizon a place Irsquod only visited twice before and only briefly but which I could not get out of my head Haarlem the place after which the famous borough of New York is named After biking in a straight line for what seemed like hours I hit the outskirts of Haarlem and was immediately mesmerised by the attractive skyline dominated by various church towers and the massive circular roof of the old penitentiary Like Amsterdam Haarlem is predominantly visually defined by its old buildings and has a very relaxed vibe of ancient structures mixed with modern elements Unlike Amsterdam however it has a huge square in the city centre where the locals meet up for coffee and a chat when the sun comes out This creates a very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and peaceful As soon as I sat down in a comfy chair with a hot beverage I had a strong urge to make new friends and start a new life here Within minutes I had fallen in love with Haarlem and could not stop gaping at the historical buildings the charming people and the beauty surrounding them Donrsquot get me wrong I am a dedicated Amsterdammer and I never thought I could live anywhere else but suddenly it started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shake

I couldnrsquot help but smile at the locals and being the friendly folk they are they smiled back at me almost as if they could read my mind and were welcoming me to their lovely city All the while the sun happily illuminated the scene as if it was part of a general plan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitor As I sat there in the city centre with a grin on my face and a Latte Macchiato the local name for a koffie verkeerd in my hand I began to mentally apologise to my hometown for having thoughts like ldquoI could live here this is really nicerdquo

I forced myself to walk away from the scene desperately trying to find an ugly part of town that would put things back into some kind of perspective and allow me to return to Amsterdam with a sense of relief and a restored belief that I am actually living in the best city in the world But it didnrsquot work Haarlem seems to be an irresistibly pretty place I took a ride around town soaking up as much of the lovely atmosphere as possible counting the churches and watching the locals enjoying themselves sitting by the water or in one of the many cafeacutes With every minute that passed the gnawing feeling that I might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdam and be a new home grew stronger to the point of being overwhelming I forced my bike towards the city limits and slowly pedalled in the general direction of the Dam while a lonely tear ran down my cheek and my mind screamed at me ldquoWhat are you doing Turn aroundrdquo

I ignored the voice in my head and made it safely to the highway where I followed the cycle path to Amsterdam all the while considering the advantages of living in a city that is only a few kilometres away from the coast allowing me to bike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at all Very tempting Sorry Amsterdam but I think Irsquom in love

lsquoA much bigger bounty was looming on the horizonrsquo

17

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 14: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

- Account Manager Market Media- (Internship) International Marketing Executive

we are looking for

14classifieds

Artist thinker

Here are some of our local partners

Enter (click) to learn why they work with us

demerkplaatsnl

15classifieds

Dam in 60 minutes

By Sam van Dam

perspectives

Haarlem 16

perspectives

This time I am taking you on a trip to one of Amsterdamrsquos neighbouring cities and I apologise in advance for this particular journey being slightly further away than 60 minutes by bike unless you happen to be a sport cyclist Haarlem is certainly worth every extra minute spent in the saddle

Leaving Amsterdam via Westerpark a rather uneventful leg (apart from the regular jumps into a ditch to avoid colliding head-on with the gazillions of bike-racers) takes you past the villages of Zwanenburg and Halfweg which I largely ignored A much bigger bounty was looming on the horizon a place Irsquod only visited twice before and only briefly but which I could not get out of my head Haarlem the place after which the famous borough of New York is named After biking in a straight line for what seemed like hours I hit the outskirts of Haarlem and was immediately mesmerised by the attractive skyline dominated by various church towers and the massive circular roof of the old penitentiary Like Amsterdam Haarlem is predominantly visually defined by its old buildings and has a very relaxed vibe of ancient structures mixed with modern elements Unlike Amsterdam however it has a huge square in the city centre where the locals meet up for coffee and a chat when the sun comes out This creates a very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and peaceful As soon as I sat down in a comfy chair with a hot beverage I had a strong urge to make new friends and start a new life here Within minutes I had fallen in love with Haarlem and could not stop gaping at the historical buildings the charming people and the beauty surrounding them Donrsquot get me wrong I am a dedicated Amsterdammer and I never thought I could live anywhere else but suddenly it started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shake

I couldnrsquot help but smile at the locals and being the friendly folk they are they smiled back at me almost as if they could read my mind and were welcoming me to their lovely city All the while the sun happily illuminated the scene as if it was part of a general plan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitor As I sat there in the city centre with a grin on my face and a Latte Macchiato the local name for a koffie verkeerd in my hand I began to mentally apologise to my hometown for having thoughts like ldquoI could live here this is really nicerdquo

I forced myself to walk away from the scene desperately trying to find an ugly part of town that would put things back into some kind of perspective and allow me to return to Amsterdam with a sense of relief and a restored belief that I am actually living in the best city in the world But it didnrsquot work Haarlem seems to be an irresistibly pretty place I took a ride around town soaking up as much of the lovely atmosphere as possible counting the churches and watching the locals enjoying themselves sitting by the water or in one of the many cafeacutes With every minute that passed the gnawing feeling that I might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdam and be a new home grew stronger to the point of being overwhelming I forced my bike towards the city limits and slowly pedalled in the general direction of the Dam while a lonely tear ran down my cheek and my mind screamed at me ldquoWhat are you doing Turn aroundrdquo

I ignored the voice in my head and made it safely to the highway where I followed the cycle path to Amsterdam all the while considering the advantages of living in a city that is only a few kilometres away from the coast allowing me to bike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at all Very tempting Sorry Amsterdam but I think Irsquom in love

lsquoA much bigger bounty was looming on the horizonrsquo

17

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 15: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

Artist thinker

Here are some of our local partners

Enter (click) to learn why they work with us

demerkplaatsnl

15classifieds

Dam in 60 minutes

By Sam van Dam

perspectives

Haarlem 16

perspectives

This time I am taking you on a trip to one of Amsterdamrsquos neighbouring cities and I apologise in advance for this particular journey being slightly further away than 60 minutes by bike unless you happen to be a sport cyclist Haarlem is certainly worth every extra minute spent in the saddle

Leaving Amsterdam via Westerpark a rather uneventful leg (apart from the regular jumps into a ditch to avoid colliding head-on with the gazillions of bike-racers) takes you past the villages of Zwanenburg and Halfweg which I largely ignored A much bigger bounty was looming on the horizon a place Irsquod only visited twice before and only briefly but which I could not get out of my head Haarlem the place after which the famous borough of New York is named After biking in a straight line for what seemed like hours I hit the outskirts of Haarlem and was immediately mesmerised by the attractive skyline dominated by various church towers and the massive circular roof of the old penitentiary Like Amsterdam Haarlem is predominantly visually defined by its old buildings and has a very relaxed vibe of ancient structures mixed with modern elements Unlike Amsterdam however it has a huge square in the city centre where the locals meet up for coffee and a chat when the sun comes out This creates a very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and peaceful As soon as I sat down in a comfy chair with a hot beverage I had a strong urge to make new friends and start a new life here Within minutes I had fallen in love with Haarlem and could not stop gaping at the historical buildings the charming people and the beauty surrounding them Donrsquot get me wrong I am a dedicated Amsterdammer and I never thought I could live anywhere else but suddenly it started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shake

I couldnrsquot help but smile at the locals and being the friendly folk they are they smiled back at me almost as if they could read my mind and were welcoming me to their lovely city All the while the sun happily illuminated the scene as if it was part of a general plan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitor As I sat there in the city centre with a grin on my face and a Latte Macchiato the local name for a koffie verkeerd in my hand I began to mentally apologise to my hometown for having thoughts like ldquoI could live here this is really nicerdquo

I forced myself to walk away from the scene desperately trying to find an ugly part of town that would put things back into some kind of perspective and allow me to return to Amsterdam with a sense of relief and a restored belief that I am actually living in the best city in the world But it didnrsquot work Haarlem seems to be an irresistibly pretty place I took a ride around town soaking up as much of the lovely atmosphere as possible counting the churches and watching the locals enjoying themselves sitting by the water or in one of the many cafeacutes With every minute that passed the gnawing feeling that I might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdam and be a new home grew stronger to the point of being overwhelming I forced my bike towards the city limits and slowly pedalled in the general direction of the Dam while a lonely tear ran down my cheek and my mind screamed at me ldquoWhat are you doing Turn aroundrdquo

I ignored the voice in my head and made it safely to the highway where I followed the cycle path to Amsterdam all the while considering the advantages of living in a city that is only a few kilometres away from the coast allowing me to bike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at all Very tempting Sorry Amsterdam but I think Irsquom in love

lsquoA much bigger bounty was looming on the horizonrsquo

17

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 16: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

Dam in 60 minutes

By Sam van Dam

perspectives

Haarlem 16

perspectives

This time I am taking you on a trip to one of Amsterdamrsquos neighbouring cities and I apologise in advance for this particular journey being slightly further away than 60 minutes by bike unless you happen to be a sport cyclist Haarlem is certainly worth every extra minute spent in the saddle

Leaving Amsterdam via Westerpark a rather uneventful leg (apart from the regular jumps into a ditch to avoid colliding head-on with the gazillions of bike-racers) takes you past the villages of Zwanenburg and Halfweg which I largely ignored A much bigger bounty was looming on the horizon a place Irsquod only visited twice before and only briefly but which I could not get out of my head Haarlem the place after which the famous borough of New York is named After biking in a straight line for what seemed like hours I hit the outskirts of Haarlem and was immediately mesmerised by the attractive skyline dominated by various church towers and the massive circular roof of the old penitentiary Like Amsterdam Haarlem is predominantly visually defined by its old buildings and has a very relaxed vibe of ancient structures mixed with modern elements Unlike Amsterdam however it has a huge square in the city centre where the locals meet up for coffee and a chat when the sun comes out This creates a very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and peaceful As soon as I sat down in a comfy chair with a hot beverage I had a strong urge to make new friends and start a new life here Within minutes I had fallen in love with Haarlem and could not stop gaping at the historical buildings the charming people and the beauty surrounding them Donrsquot get me wrong I am a dedicated Amsterdammer and I never thought I could live anywhere else but suddenly it started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shake

I couldnrsquot help but smile at the locals and being the friendly folk they are they smiled back at me almost as if they could read my mind and were welcoming me to their lovely city All the while the sun happily illuminated the scene as if it was part of a general plan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitor As I sat there in the city centre with a grin on my face and a Latte Macchiato the local name for a koffie verkeerd in my hand I began to mentally apologise to my hometown for having thoughts like ldquoI could live here this is really nicerdquo

I forced myself to walk away from the scene desperately trying to find an ugly part of town that would put things back into some kind of perspective and allow me to return to Amsterdam with a sense of relief and a restored belief that I am actually living in the best city in the world But it didnrsquot work Haarlem seems to be an irresistibly pretty place I took a ride around town soaking up as much of the lovely atmosphere as possible counting the churches and watching the locals enjoying themselves sitting by the water or in one of the many cafeacutes With every minute that passed the gnawing feeling that I might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdam and be a new home grew stronger to the point of being overwhelming I forced my bike towards the city limits and slowly pedalled in the general direction of the Dam while a lonely tear ran down my cheek and my mind screamed at me ldquoWhat are you doing Turn aroundrdquo

I ignored the voice in my head and made it safely to the highway where I followed the cycle path to Amsterdam all the while considering the advantages of living in a city that is only a few kilometres away from the coast allowing me to bike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at all Very tempting Sorry Amsterdam but I think Irsquom in love

lsquoA much bigger bounty was looming on the horizonrsquo

17

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 17: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

perspectives

This time I am taking you on a trip to one of Amsterdamrsquos neighbouring cities and I apologise in advance for this particular journey being slightly further away than 60 minutes by bike unless you happen to be a sport cyclist Haarlem is certainly worth every extra minute spent in the saddle

Leaving Amsterdam via Westerpark a rather uneventful leg (apart from the regular jumps into a ditch to avoid colliding head-on with the gazillions of bike-racers) takes you past the villages of Zwanenburg and Halfweg which I largely ignored A much bigger bounty was looming on the horizon a place Irsquod only visited twice before and only briefly but which I could not get out of my head Haarlem the place after which the famous borough of New York is named After biking in a straight line for what seemed like hours I hit the outskirts of Haarlem and was immediately mesmerised by the attractive skyline dominated by various church towers and the massive circular roof of the old penitentiary Like Amsterdam Haarlem is predominantly visually defined by its old buildings and has a very relaxed vibe of ancient structures mixed with modern elements Unlike Amsterdam however it has a huge square in the city centre where the locals meet up for coffee and a chat when the sun comes out This creates a very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and peaceful As soon as I sat down in a comfy chair with a hot beverage I had a strong urge to make new friends and start a new life here Within minutes I had fallen in love with Haarlem and could not stop gaping at the historical buildings the charming people and the beauty surrounding them Donrsquot get me wrong I am a dedicated Amsterdammer and I never thought I could live anywhere else but suddenly it started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shake

I couldnrsquot help but smile at the locals and being the friendly folk they are they smiled back at me almost as if they could read my mind and were welcoming me to their lovely city All the while the sun happily illuminated the scene as if it was part of a general plan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitor As I sat there in the city centre with a grin on my face and a Latte Macchiato the local name for a koffie verkeerd in my hand I began to mentally apologise to my hometown for having thoughts like ldquoI could live here this is really nicerdquo

I forced myself to walk away from the scene desperately trying to find an ugly part of town that would put things back into some kind of perspective and allow me to return to Amsterdam with a sense of relief and a restored belief that I am actually living in the best city in the world But it didnrsquot work Haarlem seems to be an irresistibly pretty place I took a ride around town soaking up as much of the lovely atmosphere as possible counting the churches and watching the locals enjoying themselves sitting by the water or in one of the many cafeacutes With every minute that passed the gnawing feeling that I might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdam and be a new home grew stronger to the point of being overwhelming I forced my bike towards the city limits and slowly pedalled in the general direction of the Dam while a lonely tear ran down my cheek and my mind screamed at me ldquoWhat are you doing Turn aroundrdquo

I ignored the voice in my head and made it safely to the highway where I followed the cycle path to Amsterdam all the while considering the advantages of living in a city that is only a few kilometres away from the coast allowing me to bike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at all Very tempting Sorry Amsterdam but I think Irsquom in love

lsquoA much bigger bounty was looming on the horizonrsquo

17

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 18: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

18perspectives

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 19: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

lsquoHaarlem the place after which the famous borough of New

York is namedrsquo

19perspectives

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 20: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

20perspectives

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 21: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

21perspectives

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 22: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

lsquoA very lively atmosphere that is simultaneously idyllic and

peacefulrsquo

22perspectives

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 23: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

23perspectives

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 24: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

24perspectives

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 25: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

25

lsquoIt started to make sense that the whole world is doing the Harlem shakersquo

perspectives

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 26: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

26

lsquoPlan to make the experience as pleasant as possible for any visitorrsquo

perspectives

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 27: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

27perspectives

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 28: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

28perspectives

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 29: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

lsquoI might have finally found a city that could entice me away from Amsterdamrsquo

29perspectives

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 30: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

30perspectives

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 31: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

31perspectives

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 32: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

32feature

lsquoBike to the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort in no time at allrsquo

perspectives

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 33: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

feature33

perspectives

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 34: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

34perspectives

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 35: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

35perspectives

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 36: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

36classifi eds

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 37: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

37classifi eds

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 38: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

Canada Whistler

means powder

lsquoFrom Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to

Whistlerrsquo

38travel

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 39: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

By Ananda van Welij

There are certain resorts that you hear about and always wonder what it would be like to go there One of these places is Whistler and itrsquos my next destination To say Irsquom excited and curious to see this place for myself is an understatement

39travel

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 40: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

40

travel

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 41: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

thanks to a washer and dryer in my apartment suite the hotel hot tubs pools and equipment shopWhen I wake on Sunday morning itrsquos still raining but not as much as before As Irsquove switched to a steep skiing clinic instead of the backcountry one Irsquom meeting up with my guideteacher Steve from Extremely Canadian and we make our way to the top of Whistler Mountain As you can see by the name of the resort Whistler-Blackcomb actually consists of two mountains which vary in steepness and offer different things to different types of skiers

The higher we get the bigger the snowflakes become and as soon as we get off I canrsquot help but smile Irsquom completely covered up and no one can see my smile but the excitement hangs in the air As we start our first descent I feel the snow change and become heavier under my feet the lower we go Itrsquos obvious Steve knows his way around when we ski into the trees and have to keep close to a high wall of rocks The ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and narrower until not even both of my skis fit next to each other After climbing a bit more we finally get to the spot Steve was heading for and we dive into our run Challenging conditions greet us due to the heavy snow but thanks to the tips from Steve Irsquom finding my way down At the end of the day Irsquom tired my legs wonrsquot listen to me anymore and I become frustrated with my skiing Time for a hot tub session

Later while skiing I meet up with my friend Jamie who lives in Whistler As we are talking I canrsquot help but think again of how lucky I am to be travelling like this meeting up with friends all over the world and learning so much Itrsquos not always easy going from one place to the next every few days and sometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my friends and family I might sound like a spoiled kid right now but I donrsquot mean to

Sunday morning arrives and itrsquos already my last morning in Whistler The skies have cleared and the higher alpine part of the resort has been re-opened after the ski patrol bombed the runs to kick off any possible avalanche Thanks to skiing with the Extremely Canadian crew we can take the ski-class line and actually manage a few real powder runs before I have to race back to the hotel grab my bags and jump on the bus back to Vancouver I have a big smile on my face like a kid leaving Disneyland after a super fun weekend

From Vancouver itrsquos only a 25-hour bus journey to Whistler Normally Irsquom not too keen on buses but I heard that Pacific Coach Lines offers an amazing opportunity to enjoy your drive up into the mountains Unfortunately itrsquos a rainy grey day when I get on the bus But rain in the city means snow up in the mountains right Yes as I step off the bus Irsquom greeted by big white snowflakes

Wet and covered in snow I check in at the Delta Whistler Village Suites and when I walk through the door to my apartment suite I feel right at home I am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotel I quickly change into dry clothes and settle in

Time to explore I canrsquot wait to have a look around town Whistlerrsquos centre is car-free and with darkness setting in all the lights across town come to life As Irsquom on my way to the supermarket wandering around in those big slowly falling snowflakes I canrsquot help but feel like Irsquom in the winter version of Disneyland I canrsquot wait to go skiing here especially since I will get to go backcountry touring with Extremely Canadian Clinics What better way to get to know a resort than with local guides

When I wake up the next morning my excitement is washed away just as quickly as when you knock over your glass of wine Itrsquos pouring and I really mean pouring with rain The reason the so called lsquoPineapple expressrsquo a warm wind from Hawaii that makes its way over once a season When I checked the weather forecast the previous day I was afraid this would happen as the freezing level had been rising like crazy but I tried to remain positive even when the boss of Extremely Canadian called to let me know that it would not be possible to go backcountry touring The snowflakes were big last night but also really heavy Heavy means wet and wet means not good for the stability of the snowpack As a result the avalanche danger has shot up to four too dangerous I guess the weather won

Although I was excited to ski I donrsquot really mind the down day Irsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my body is sore my skis need to be waxed and my clothes washed Luckily I have everything I need to turn my day into a cosy and relaxing one

lsquoI am greeted by a cosy fire an incredibly big bed and a lovely welcome note from the hotelrsquo

41travel

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 42: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

42travel

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 43: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

43

travel

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 44: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

44

travel

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 45: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

lsquoHeavy means wet and wet means not good for the

stability of the snowpackrsquo

45

travel

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 46: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

46

travel

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 47: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

47travel

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 48: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

48

travel

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 49: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

lsquoIrsquove been skiing so much over the last few weeks that my

body is sorersquo

49

travel

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 50: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

50travel

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 51: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

lsquoThe ledge Irsquom skiing on is becoming narrower and

narrower until not even both of my skis fitrsquo

51travel

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 52: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

lsquoSometimes out of the blue I can really start to miss my

friends and familyrsquo

52travel

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 53: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

53travel

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 54: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

For complete and world class tours of Prague

Packages includebull Hidden and playful Prague (for families with young children)bull Literary Praguebull Prague Architecture through the agesbull Religion and the citybull The old city at night

These are detailed tours designed for visitors who wish to explore with great detail and not suitable for simply sight-seeing tourists

Day segments and ratesPR 0800-1230hrs AG 1330-1630hrs UE 1730-2130hrsAll sessions are priced at u 25 per single adult Group size upper limit = 8 Accompanied children under the age of five are gratis and school aged children pay 25 Family package rates are negotiable

ContactJaroslav Cernosek+420 602 228 797Mail jcernosekcentrumcz

wwwyourtuliptourcom

JC Tours

54classifieds

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 55: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

55classifieds

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 56: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

CafeacuteBar Review Cafeacute Parck

cafebar review56

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 57: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

Cafeacute ParckOvertoom 428 Amsterdam

Amsterdam West continues to chic- gastro- and fun-up Cafeacute Parck which took over the space once occupied by the seafaring-themed cafeacute-bar De Clipper has become a bit of a hit and a highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdam They do it in an authentic and stylish manner

AmbianceComfortable and light at the very beginning of a session with a strong red prominent in signature designs which of course also has a therapeutic effect leading to a sense of excitement from just being there They deliver further on this front Rating 5

staffregularsIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staff in this city It makes you want to spend your hard-earned money The staff members here are engaging professional and well fun Regulars include a fair count of the attractive (MF) set from the neighbourhood and the rest range from international residents to office and workplace groups who tend to land here to lsquoborrelrsquo after a dayrsquos or weekrsquos work Rating 5

televised sportThe importance of this revenue stream has not been lost here and it is an Ajax and Champions League meeting point on those match days Rating 4

pricesFor alcoholic drinks Parck will not set you back any more than any other reasonably priced A-class bar in this part of the city Where Parck excels and in my opinion outshines many of the scores of known cafeacutebars that also provide food in Amsterdam is that as far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted better All this at prices which for Amsterdam can be considered cheap these days Parck has simplified the originally simple It serves high-quality eats but makes it very clear that it does lsquobar foodrsquo and is not a restaurant In so doing it avoids the incongruous position prevalent across Amsterdam of every cafeacute owner with a licence to offer eats to the public trying to squeeze in mainly through ridiculous pricing that they are in fact restaurants and not simply bars that serve food At Parck on the other hand I had the most juicy and delicious bar meal ever Pioneers of the Twin Burger concept its Portobello Twin saw me returning the next day to double-check if it really was that good at euro900 It is Rating 5++

musicParck regularly transforms itself into a bit of a party bar and has a fine high-fidelity sound system The staff plays cool music during dining periods and other times before that crescendo Rating 5

smoking area provisionParck is a grand modern fresh concept cafeacute handily situated on the corner of a charming residential street and the wide Overtoom Great for people-watching so puffers can use the terrace area and take little strolls outside while they indulge that particular habit Rating 4

total rating 2830(Rating from 1-5 where 1 = Very poor and 5 = Excellent)

By Denson Pierre

lsquoA highly recommendable address for some of the good things associated with pleasurable hospitality in Amsterdamrsquo

cafebar review57

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 58: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

lsquoIt is such a relief to meet refreshing warm proprietors and their well-trained enthusiastic staffrsquo

cafebar review58

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 59: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

cafebar review59

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 60: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

lsquoAs far as truly excellent bar food goes I have not seen or tasted betterrsquo

60cafebar review

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 61: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

61

cafebar review

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 62: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

Je moet er geweest zijn

62classifieds

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 63: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

MechelenAuthentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself Mechelen

Authentic and full of surprises Thatrsquos Mechelen Hospitable and honourable Thatrsquos the people of Mechelen Come and experience the cityrsquos urban charms for yourself

photography copy Milo Profi

classifieds63

classifieds

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 64: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

Oh my Lord I found out a few weeks ago that my contract will not be extended I am slightly panicked Like so many others across the job market I wonder what will happen next which road lies ahead This wasnrsquot part of the plan

Luckily I started my own business last autumn Sandy Saves The Day ndash Professional Organiser Irsquove decided to focus on this and I am on the search for clients The Sentinel has been kind enough to allow me the opportunity to introduce myself to you all so here I am Sandy Saves The Day Only now Sandy Needs To Be Saved Just kidding but if you like the following text and feel you need to be saved then maybe we can save each other

Companies and individuals hire me in for project management or to have their place of business organised The projects can be big or small some of my clients just need someone to help them get started on an organised administrationoffice others need my consultancy to professionalise their officetime management and others still really need to be saved Theyrsquore lost in their own (administrative) mess

Save Sandy

By Sandy Duijsens

ndash lsquoLike so many others across the job

market I wonderrsquondash

and canrsquot see a way out I come along fix stuff and help them work more efficiently from that moment onwards I create order out of chaos and help you gain an overview aimed at improving your business

Some companies with back office activity issues and efficiency problems consult me to texture Other companies have no support staff (yet) but need administrative or organisation support due to growth of their business I work on these things so they can focus on core business I create a flowing and workable system which they can use themselves or delegate to their new staff should they decide to hire any Organisations that wish to improve their efficiency due to shrinkage or to achieve cost savings consult me to take a critical look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing organisational processes and to make changes I define the problems and bring a fresh perspective all on a pro-rata basis

If you have read this and find yourself thinking ldquoHey thatrsquos exactly what I needrdquo then please feel free to visit my website wwwsandysavesthedaycom for more information and to contact me The site is in Dutch but Irsquom happy to explain it to you by phone or maybe over a cup of coffee

64

advertorial

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 65: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

ndashlsquoI create order out of chaos and help

you gain an overviewrsquondash

65advertorial

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 66: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

ndashlsquoTake a critical look at the efficiency and

effectiveness of the existing organisational processesrsquo

ndash

66

advertorial

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 67: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

ndashlsquoIrsquom happy to explain it to you

by phone or maybe over a cup of coffeersquo

ndash

67advertorial

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 68: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

classifi edsclassifi eds6

8

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 69: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

amsterdam city life

BrinG BACK

Back in 1995 when my life here felt like a perpetual set of movements through the city interrupted by visits to bars museums exhibitions and concerts one thing stood out on the simplest of levels Amsterdam was kept spotlessly clean Over the years I had noticed a great number of more elderly people (usually women) regularly scrubbing the pavement and cobblestones in front of their homes with shopkeepers and artisans doing the same in front of their shops and studios It was loosely explained to me that these were just good old habits washed down within a little Calvinistic tradition

During the 1990s I frequented a bar on what is said to be Amsterdamrsquos oldest street Joining me in defining dipsomania was an Irishman from Connemara with whom I shared a creative naming ability aligned with good humour It took us a mere few days to realise that there was a certain impressive frequency and unfailing punctuality to the appearance of a street-sweeping and -washing machine which would pass by the barrsquos narrow street As a form of respect to our then cleanly Dutch hosts we decided to name the machine that had quickly become familiar to us My friend PJ christened the machine Vincent given that we were never short of

chats with tourists who had visited the museum of the great man himself

Over the past couple of years in Amsterdam it has become increasingly evident that due to the cutbacks in municipal budgets the sanitation service has taken a big hit in terms of man or machine power I have never seen Amsterdam streets and canals so regularly soiled by long-standing litter and flotsam as I do nowadays The snowy winter helped to conceal the mess but it really is a concern now that we are into the plus-temperature months I do not expect the little old ladies smiling at me as I walked or cycled past them in 1995 to have the same energy for pavement washing today but when did you last even see one of those teams of bramble-broom sweepers clearing up after miscreants who refuse to use the thousands of highly visible bins provided

A recession exposes a great deal but just as Van Gogh is the pinnacle of Dutch painting The Sentinel says bring back Vincent and more of his kind to keep this beautiful city free of the stain that is litter

By Denson Pierre

VINCENT

69

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 70: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

70star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 71: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoThis is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out therersquo

It is not every day that you get the chance to drink a beer made to an early 16th-century recipe A brotherhood of Haarlem-based beer lovers and brewers revived this beer for their own pleasure only to realise they had an international hit on their hands

With lsquoreal beerrsquo what you get is an intense taste sensation that signals the agreeable feeling of alcohol being transfused into your bloodstream Jopen tastes like a mature bitter but one smoothed by flowery elements This means that after the first sip to acquire the taste those that follow can be experienced as soft and mildly sweet With its manly alcohol content a session ought not to go beyond three glasses This is one of the best Dutch real beers presently out there and a perfect addition to an ideal beer tasting tour the best way to take top-quality brews

Most delicious when drawn from the tap and now growing in popularity across Amsterdam as it is also available in bottles at quality off licences

Jopen is brewed by Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands

By Denson Pierre

JOPEN (68 ABV)

71star beer guide

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 72: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

We find the best most fun most typical exciting or local favourite restaurants etcetera in Amsterdam and bring them to you an easy way to feel like a local

Cafe Oporto 100413

72recommended

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 73: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

EUROGIFTSXenonweg 9 3812 SZ Amersfoort

Tel 033 - 454 35 75 - Fax 033 - 454 35 79E-mail lmproefeurogiftsnl

Website wwweurogiftsnl

FILMPROEF

ORDERNUMMER 6021022ARTIKELNUMMER 65123

Ware grootte (indien uitgeprint)Kleur opdruk Wit

Mulligans Irish Music BarAmsterdamrsquos best address for live Irish music Five (5) nights a week Check our agenda for upcoming sessions

Cafeacute KostverlorenCafeacute Kostverloren is a contemporary cafe offering the cosiness of a saloon an open kitchen and the intimacy of a living room During summer there is a large sunny terrace and during winter an open fi replace

ZestZest is fi ne food warm atmosphere and classy drinks with regular semi-acoustic (live) music and DJs (Thursday to Sunday) Amsterdamrsquos newest and freshest

IncantoIncanto is a restaurant with a classic Italian kitchen Venetian chef Simone Ambrosin is known for his pure and simple style of cooking with feeling for nuance The wine list contains over 150 Italian wines

Planet RosePlanet Rose is the fi rst Caribbean restaurant in the Netherlands which specializes in Jamaican cuisine The menu features a daily changing selection of JamaicanCaribbean dishes and they ensure that you enjoy the whole expe-rience while dining with them

Cafe restaurant EdelCafe restaurant Edel is the perfect place for lunch dinner or to simply enjoy a drink Edel is a unique place in Amsterdam

Cafeacute OportoCafeacute Oporto is a traditional Amsterdam lsquobrown cafersquo Welcoming tourists and regular customers alike they offer televised sports wireless internet connection and a wide range of reasonably priced beers and spirits

Connoisseurs Delight Fun Drinking amp Music

To Be Seen and Tasted

Fun Drinking amp Music

Connoisseurs Delight

Connoisseurs Delight

To Be Seen and Tasted

Neighbourhood cosy

Opera Prima - Patisserie Bistro TraiteurThe best place in town for lunch exquisite high teas or brunches and all of your luxury catering both private and corporate

Kinkerstraat 228 Amsterdamwwwoperaprimanl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Bilderdijkstraat 188 Amsterdamwwwfacebookcomclubzestnl

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

RECOMMENDED

73recommended

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 74: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

Where is this inAmsterdamAnswer to sentinelpostgmailcom

74spotted

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 75: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

Room 2cfilm

Sean Connery in a Hitchcock movie Itrsquos true and he shows how well he can act in this classic After catching his beautiful secretary stealing from his company he manages to force her hand in marriage Only then does he realise the true psychological mess she is in and the childhood memories she must face up to A haunting and memorable film from the master

You know the story and after a puerile series of films from the franchise of the previous generation something had to give Christopher Nolan directs Christian Bale in a superbly refreshed take on the capers of the high-flying billionaire with heavy psychological baggage and the coolest gadgets and rides ever brought to the big screen This movie excites even those with no feeling for super-action-heroes

By David King

By dpmotions

Marnie (1964)

Batman Begins (2005)

room2c75

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 76: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

76trends

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 77: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

lsquo66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institutionrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

By the time you read this we Dutchies will have a spanking new King and Queen Our entire tiny country seems to have travelled back in time over the past few weeks preparing for this huge event by engaging in old-fashioned songs and activities Dressed in faded shades of orange we eat soft wet cake hanging from a string while blindfolded stick our heads in buckets of water trying to catch sweets and jump into sacks left over from Sinterklaas to race each other or more often fall over All of this is accompanied by people dressed up in authentic historic costumes groups of men women and children performing well-practiced folk dances and toddlers singing songs about colonial adventures of old involving oranges and big ships The word orange comes up a lot and somehow somewhere in this little universe that is created on 30 April the Netherlands becomes a completely different place compared with the rest of the year A place where everyone is smiling people are drinking and dancing in the streets and

there are no rules Everyone joins in young and old as we all suddenly feel that being Dutch is not such a bad thing after all

I have no anthropological or sociological expertise to help me explain this phenomenon in which nostalgia becomes a kind of positive mass hysteria Maybe it is the colour orange which according to the good old ldquohare harerdquo singers is a very happy colour maybe it is the very cheap stuff you can buy at the ethereal flea market (because we like it immensely when things are inexpensive) maybe it is the feeling of being part of something maybe it is the alcohol that flows in volumehellip

All I know is that recent research shows that 66 of Lowlanders have complete trust in the royal family as an institution while only 12 have trust in Dutch politics So it might just be a good idea for The Hague to consider an orange dress code

The politics of Royals

77trends

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 78: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

This time around my attention has been caught by a very specifically coloured and very well known gemstone that has been appreciated for aeons turquoise Historically it is interesting that the gemstone was one of the first to be introduced into Europe via Turkey (along with other Silk Road novelties) It did not become important in Europe until around the 1300s however Up to then it had mainly been prized in Egypt Mesopotamia and Persia and was mostly used in mosaics for its decorative colour along with other stones and metals It is important to note that many cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good fortune and wealth In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the connection with the spirit world and was therefore widely used in funeral

Turquoise

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoIt did not become important in Europe until around the 1300srsquo

ndash

art and decorations It also symbolises friendship and peace at home and is said to reflect the qualities of its wearer This is an important gem that deserves attention When it comes to physical effects it is believed to help in alleviating rheumatism stomach problems and viral infections When placed on the solar plexus it can help to relax cramps and has strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects Care should be taken however as this stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being worn It can also be treated for colour and durability as it fades over time and wouldnlsquot hold up to normal jewellery use

78health amp well-being

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 79: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

ndash

lsquoMany cultures consider turquoise to be a powerful protection talisman and a guarantee of good

fortune and wealthrsquo

ndash

ndash

lsquoThis stone is rather fragile and needs special attention when being

wornrsquo

ndash

79health amp well-being

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 80: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

bit and see how Facebook has evolved and where is it going

2006 Facebook introduces the News Feed showing all your friendsrsquo activity in one timeline2008 Facebook rolls out a redesign to all users breaking different sections into separate customisable tabs Since then those tabs more or less moved to the left side and it seems like theyrsquore not moving anytime soon2009 In probably one of its weirdest moves Facebook creates a feed of real-time updates on the right side of the screen Have you ever used it For me itrsquos been hidden since day one I canrsquot stand it Also in 2009 Facebook redesigns its homepage again introducing an algorithm to decide which status updates have the lsquohonourrsquo of being displayed first

Not many products or services have the lsquohonourrsquo of a movie being made about them yet Facebook has one If yoursquore interested just go ahead and download it or stream it itrsquos called The Social Network But thatrsquos not the subject of this piece Today I will be talking about the multitude of redesigns layouts and the different ways you could and can stalk your friends on the infamous Facebook The question on everyonersquos lips is What were they thinking

Elementary my dear Watsonhellip Itrsquos all about how you the users interact with the platform Letrsquos look back a

UserInterface

WTF What The Facebook

lsquoYou could and can stalk your friends on the

infamous Facebookrsquo

By Andrei Barburas

80technology

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 81: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

Whatrsquos the purpose of this all Better ad targeting to lsquoserve your needsrsquo If you have pictures of snow sports then you know what yoursquore getting served Just imagine if for a prank you would create a fi ctional profi le and then post all kinds of stuff what would the ads be about

Over the past years literally millions of complaints were directed towards Facebookrsquos sometimes egocentric changes redesigns and ignorance towards complaining users What about you John and Janet Doe did you ever offi cially complain Or were you just slightly annoyed and OK again the following day

2010 Facebook reduces the font size of news feed updates and also overhauls profi le pages summarising the userrsquos information and adding a strip of photos below the summary

Skipping a few years and updates we arrive at today Facebook has big plans it is the biggest change in its seven-year history Viewing habits are changing The new design brings larger photos to life on your News Feed These enhancements create a spotlight for your page or brand

Basically what you need to do is to start adding media (pictures or videos) to make your content more engaging pussycat videos potential Gangnam record breakers and a load of deep inspirational images of lsquosomethingrsquo with smart text in it

lsquoEnhancements create a spotlight for your page or

brandrsquo

lsquoWhat you need to do is to start adding mediarsquo

81technology

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 82: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

82classifi eds

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 83: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

83classifi eds

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 84: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

a great deal about your roots Similarly to football music helps create a spatial proximity among people enabling a lsquopublic intimacyrsquo particularly during live performances However similarly to the way football has gone music today is mostly a solitary experience and even live performances lack the edge ndash the battle for supremacy ndash that live football provides Music may have helped me get through some difficult times but music alone is no permanent substitute for the beautiful game

The Olympic Games in London last summer certainly entertained and from a sporting perspective the worldrsquos best performers were there for all to admire We saw real competition on show mixed with real emotion The only medals I consciously turned my back on were the footballing ones but I think everyone else did too The Olympic Games are not about football and football is not about being an Olympian Furthermore Olympic summers are always shared with footballrsquos European Championships so why not simply enjoy the best of both worlds Or am I back on the intemperate path to obsession On the other hand such events are rare coming round just once every four years or because last yearrsquos games were contested in the town where I grew up perhaps lsquoonce in a lifetimersquo would be a

One reason for giving up an old addiction is that it is supposed to be an exercise in personal development To determine your own true identity I decided you need to be able to look back into the past at your roots to see what shaped you as you were growing up and understand where you came from To aid this exploration of the self I thought was worth striving for better more open relationships with particular friends and family members But without a ball to get rolling neither side seems to know where to start the process or how to go about supporting it Football it must be said brings people together and says something about who you are but my challenge was to find alternatives

Listening to music has always been great a source of pleasure to me as it is for the majority of people In addition depending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a community and say

By Simon Joseph

On The VolleyPoint blank

lsquoDepending on what type of music you enjoy it can make you part of a communityrsquo

sport

lsquoExcess inevitably leads straight to sufferingrsquo84

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 85: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

lsquoPaying for this revolution is more than most can affordrsquo

lsquoSpurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britainrsquo

The price us ordinary supporters are paying for this revolution is more than most can afford But counter-revolutions such as FC United of Manchesterrsquos are scarce Perhaps this is because we are too focused on our individual desire for glory deflecting our thoughts and influence away from the universal struggle for a level playing field Top-flight football then is truly the opium of the people

While lost in thoughts on politics and change I canrsquot fail to mention the passing of Maggie Thatcher not simply because she was Prime Minister during the first Tottenham riots or that she personally attempted to tarnish the Argentinean names engraved on some of our trophies but because of the impact she had on football in general Ironically Spurs played some of their best football in Thatcherite Britain but the game itself was not so fortunate For example having been scandalously misinformed about the causes of several disasters such as Valley Parade and Hillsborough she facilitated the ban on standing on terraces arguably denying supporters of a significant amount of pleasure and ultimately alienating supporters from their beloved game In the absence of the Iron Lady then perhaps football will witness the dawning of another new era Or will we continue to live with her legacy while she rusts in peace

better way of describing London 2012 Hardly excessive

Most people who have been through rehab for addiction wouldrsquove been told that excess inevitably leads straight to suffering But how can we experience pleasure in life and avoid all that suffering Some say therersquos something therapeutic about shovelling earth and being closer to nature that it provides a certain kind of gratification But that only works if you have a garden and the two square metres of concrete stuck on to the back of my flat doesnrsquot offer much in the way of landscape What about all the suffering that football entails then Is it really so terrible after all Perhaps it really is all part of the game inseparable and cathartic ndash a totally natural release of psychic energy that left unmitigated could lead to more suffering or perhaps even violence Then again over the course of a lifetime whichever team you support surely the suffering outweighs the enjoyment

Itrsquos been a long time since Tottenham last won anything significant In the meantime the game of football has changed almost beyond recognition The modern game is not simply a reinvention of the working-class manrsquos leisure pursuit it has undergone a total transformation into the global entertainment industry it is today

sport85

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 86: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

86classifi eds

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 87: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

87classifieds

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 88: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

fans must only now realise what a close call they had when the FA opted for a manager with a proven steady approach to team preparation and an eye for reasonably clear tactics Redknapp is likeable as a happy go lucky winger but I wonder who will offer him a job now after this extremely expensive catastrophe with Malaysian money

David Moyes (Everton) undoubtedly a decent manager but forever simmering in a bowl of soup that is Everton FC which cannot find the resources to bring in the five or six truly top-class players required to win something in the modern era Merely clambering to the edge of European qualification no longer suits the man and it is maybe time for him to change club as both are in need of refreshment

Roberto Martinez (Wigan) if yoursquore looking for an example of a football nerd Martinez defines it Even after occasional defeats it is immensely pleasurable to hear this man speak It is as though everything about his intellect has been coaxed towards football His apprenticeship from 2007 at Swansea led to his eventual arrival at Wigan to continue his tradition of good football with a budget far smaller than most other Premier League teams Surviving relegation over the years has already made him a legend It is now time we saw what he can do in charge of a team with the quality of players more commonly found on the books at big European clubs

We have reached a convenient point in the season to comment on EPL managers given that the teams some lead have failed so spectacularly that their job security is topical Some seem set for a period of stagnation while others may move to better-resourced clubs where their talents can be better biomechanically interpreted by top professional footballers It is also worth saying that the difference made by managers to what actually happens on the field of play is arguably no more than 5 Football is an athletic sport and the best groups of athletes with the necessary intelligence and skill tend to prevail at any level and most certainly within the international superstar field

Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) he may have achieved second place in the league and a 65 chance of the FA Cup trophy but would you as the decision-making arm of an organisation that counts its value in trillions choose to carry on with a manager who has failed consistently over the years where it really matters (Champions League) A Premier League crown is commendable but to follow this by immediately conceding ground to a rival to the tune of more than ten points in defence of that title is scandalous Someone else should be given a chance to play real-life fantasy football at this club

Harry Redknapp (Queens Park Rangers) down at the bottom and looking sure to be relegated with his band of misfits in West London I suppose England

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

88

sport

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 89: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

89sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds

Page 90: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #10

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

90

classifi eds


Laker Sentinel Magazine: Vol. 1, Issue 2

Laker Sentinel Magazine: Vol. 1, Issue 2

The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 7 #7

The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 7 #7

The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #4

The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #4

The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 5 #12

The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 5 #12

The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 5 #6

The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 5 #6

Laker Sentinel Magazine: Vol. 1, Issue 1

Laker Sentinel Magazine: Vol. 1, Issue 1

The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 4 #1

The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 4 #1

Presidio Sentinel, May 2014, Vol. 15, No. 05w

Presidio Sentinel, May 2014, Vol. 15, No. 05w

The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 4 #4

The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 4 #4

The Sentinel Amsterdam vol.7 #9

The Sentinel Amsterdam vol.7 #9

The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #8

The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #8

Presidio Sentinel, April 2013. Vol. 14, No. 3

Presidio Sentinel, April 2013. Vol. 14, No. 3

The Sentinel Amsterdam vol.7 #14

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