The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

88
vol. 6 #1 – 23 October 2012 eco-travel SPAIN: THE SOUND OF SILENCE feature The Sentinel Amsterdam Integrity, heart, humour FRANCE: THE MEMORY OF WATER 1

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 #1

Page 1: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

vol 6 1 ndash 23 October 2012

eco-travel

SPAINTHE SOUNDOF SILENCE

feature

The SentinelAmsterdamIntegrity heart humour

FRANCETHE MEMORY OF WATER

1

2

E-mail sentinelpostgmailcomWebsite wwwthesentineleu

Contributors Eva Haan Sam van Dam David King 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

restaurant review - p 58

eco-travel - p 30 travel - p 44 perspectives - p 54

star beer guidel - p 64 amsterdam city lifel - p 67

technology - p 78

spotted - p 70

classifieds

trends - p 72film review - p 71

Spain The sound of silence

Shanti

France The memory of water Australiarsquos next virgin I have a dream

Duvel (Citra 2012) bring back

Your technology

Where is this in Amsterdam

Style watch (out)room 2c

sport - p 82

On the Volley

lsquoA closely knitted bundle of buildings and houses crowded on top of a tall

grey mountainrsquo

lsquoThe little-known Sanskrit word for peacersquo

lsquoA fine and diverse cityrsquo

lsquoSeeking doesnrsquot always mean findingrsquo

Naked Brussels

A time to cleanse

Master Chefs

The Gold Room

culture - p 18

health amp well-being - p 74

art - p 50

sport - p 86

more

TheSound

ofSilence

4feature

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

With newspapers in the Netherlands full of talk about Spainrsquos desperate economic situation and raging forest fires in the Valencia region I am not sure what to expect on arrival at the cityrsquos Manises Airport Spainrsquos eighth-busiest airport in terms of passenger volume

TheSound

Breathtaking Valencia province and the immaculate village of Bocairent

feature5

6feature

It is already late so we quickly head to our hotel a magnificent old house with a traditional interior and welcoming rooms After dinner we are offered a late-night tour of the village Itrsquos the quietest walk Irsquove ever taken in my life It is only about 1030pm but the moonlit streets of the historic village are completely empty It is as if we have accidentally walked on to an empty movie set The additional light from the streetlamps envelopes everything in a golden haze The air is gentle and warm and the only sounds are those of our footsteps The tiny village in the clouds harbours a famous cathedral with an intricately painted ceiling sometimes referred to as lsquothe Sistine Chapel of Valenciarsquo by the locals At this time of night the doors are opened especially for us The people we meet in Bocairent have a quiet self-assurance about them they seem as connected to the stone beneath them as the village itself

Into the hills of fire

The village looks different in the still morning light but it is just as quiet as the night before The houses are painted in a variety of earthy and pastel shades and the street signs are made from beautifully painted ceramic tiles a speciality of the Valencia region The impressive bullring in the centre of town is carved out of the grey stone of the mountain beneath us It is still used once a year for lsquofightsrsquo and it is a strange sensation to stand in the middle of the arena like a torero a personal encounter with a cultural aspect of Spain that is hard to understand for outsiders like me It provokes the same kind of discussion on hypocrisy as does the Zwarte Piet phenomenon in Dutch culture

Initially things seem fine The weather is gently warm the airport seems nicely busy and after a warm welcome we are on the road within a couple of minutes The drive from Valencia to our destination the village of Bocairent is an experience in itself It takes us right to the heart of the province and a completely different state of mind Provided you have a good driver (and we had a great one) it is a worthwhile journey The winding roads take you through a beautiful landscape packed with history stories olive trees and orange groves The fertile countryside speckled with ancient villages makes me feel slightly jealous given that I was arriving from the Netherlands where everything is so straight-lined and man-made A sigh escapes my lips as we drive further into the glorious landscape Yes this is definitely a very very nice part of the world

The rich history of the former kingdom of Valencia surrounds us almost as if we are time travelling The Moors ruled this region for a long time before the Christians took over and the villages and towns are a mix of historic buildings with some parts even dating back to the Romans Our journey leads us through a gargantuan gorge where the road is lined by steep mountains as if we are the river cutting right through them

The village on the mountain

Suddenly the village of Bocairent is upon us A closely knitted bundle of buildings and houses crowded on top of a tall grey mountain as if it had been lifted above the earth and deposited in heaven Do the gods live here An image of Mount Olympus flashes through my mind Was this even real

lsquoA beautiful landscape packed with history stories olive trees and orange

grovesrsquo

lsquoThrough a gargantuan gorge where the road is lined by steep mountains as if we are the river cutting right through

themrsquo

feature7

8feature

make our way from cave to cave through extremely narrow passages and it is quite a challenge to get all of our limbs through in neone piece I felt like a kid on the greatest climbing frame ever

Welcome rain

By the time we leave the caves it is seriously raining and we walk back up the mountain as quickly as we can being careful not to lose our footing on the now slippery rocks We manage to make it back to the minibus and head north through a wet and foggy landscape Locals tell us it had been three months since it last rained and they are hoping the rain will persist and douse the forest fires Itrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beauty

The following day we rise to a raging storm but the good news is that the fires have been extinguished and the farmers are happy We set off on a boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward us Occasionally we pass a ruin or castle visible on the mountain tops

News that a bridge in the neighbourhood has been washed away by the rain greets us on day three There had been a complete reversal from fire to water over our few days in the Province of Valencia It feels like a fitting narrative for a country in which people seem very connected to the land and extremely proud of it It seems that wherever nature is so stunningly beautiful it is easy to love it and live in harmony with it

From the bullring we walk out of the village to discover the surrounding area The hills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of different herbs scented flowers and bushes A pilgrimsrsquo route next to the village ascends a mountain covered in yellow bushes and black trees the remnants of previous forest fires The news today is that several fires are still ravaging the area We hear the sad news that one of the hotels belonging to the same owners as the one at which we will be staying that night is dangerously threatened by the fires So much so that all the guests have to be relocated a reality check on how close the fires really are

After a walk down the hill we come close to a sheer-sided mountain we have already spotted a few times Its face is dotted with little squares 50 to be precise Our guide Mateo tells us that each of these squares was the window to a small cave carved into the side of the mountain The theory is that the caves were used to store food in ancient times but no one really knows for sure Back then it was only possible to reach the caves via ropes hanging from the top of the mountain These days there are two stairways leading up to the caves and all of the cavities have been connected creating a crazy labyrinth within the mountain

By the time we reach the bottom of the stairs a few drops of rain begin to fall so we hurry inside which isnrsquot easy as the interiors are tiny The caves are about 10-13 metres in height and the walls are of stark white rock which sheds a bit of chalky dust here and there The view from the tiny square windows is marvellous Itrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little house We

lsquoHills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of

different herbs scented flowers and bushesrsquo

lsquoItrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little houselsquo

feature9

10feature

feature11

12feature

lsquoItrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey

rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beautyrsquo

feature13

14feature

feature15

16feature

lsquoA boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically

green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward usrsquo

feature17

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 2: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

2

E-mail sentinelpostgmailcomWebsite wwwthesentineleu

Contributors Eva Haan Sam van Dam David King 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

restaurant review - p 58

eco-travel - p 30 travel - p 44 perspectives - p 54

star beer guidel - p 64 amsterdam city lifel - p 67

technology - p 78

spotted - p 70

classifieds

trends - p 72film review - p 71

Spain The sound of silence

Shanti

France The memory of water Australiarsquos next virgin I have a dream

Duvel (Citra 2012) bring back

Your technology

Where is this in Amsterdam

Style watch (out)room 2c

sport - p 82

On the Volley

lsquoA closely knitted bundle of buildings and houses crowded on top of a tall

grey mountainrsquo

lsquoThe little-known Sanskrit word for peacersquo

lsquoA fine and diverse cityrsquo

lsquoSeeking doesnrsquot always mean findingrsquo

Naked Brussels

A time to cleanse

Master Chefs

The Gold Room

culture - p 18

health amp well-being - p 74

art - p 50

sport - p 86

more

TheSound

ofSilence

4feature

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

With newspapers in the Netherlands full of talk about Spainrsquos desperate economic situation and raging forest fires in the Valencia region I am not sure what to expect on arrival at the cityrsquos Manises Airport Spainrsquos eighth-busiest airport in terms of passenger volume

TheSound

Breathtaking Valencia province and the immaculate village of Bocairent

feature5

6feature

It is already late so we quickly head to our hotel a magnificent old house with a traditional interior and welcoming rooms After dinner we are offered a late-night tour of the village Itrsquos the quietest walk Irsquove ever taken in my life It is only about 1030pm but the moonlit streets of the historic village are completely empty It is as if we have accidentally walked on to an empty movie set The additional light from the streetlamps envelopes everything in a golden haze The air is gentle and warm and the only sounds are those of our footsteps The tiny village in the clouds harbours a famous cathedral with an intricately painted ceiling sometimes referred to as lsquothe Sistine Chapel of Valenciarsquo by the locals At this time of night the doors are opened especially for us The people we meet in Bocairent have a quiet self-assurance about them they seem as connected to the stone beneath them as the village itself

Into the hills of fire

The village looks different in the still morning light but it is just as quiet as the night before The houses are painted in a variety of earthy and pastel shades and the street signs are made from beautifully painted ceramic tiles a speciality of the Valencia region The impressive bullring in the centre of town is carved out of the grey stone of the mountain beneath us It is still used once a year for lsquofightsrsquo and it is a strange sensation to stand in the middle of the arena like a torero a personal encounter with a cultural aspect of Spain that is hard to understand for outsiders like me It provokes the same kind of discussion on hypocrisy as does the Zwarte Piet phenomenon in Dutch culture

Initially things seem fine The weather is gently warm the airport seems nicely busy and after a warm welcome we are on the road within a couple of minutes The drive from Valencia to our destination the village of Bocairent is an experience in itself It takes us right to the heart of the province and a completely different state of mind Provided you have a good driver (and we had a great one) it is a worthwhile journey The winding roads take you through a beautiful landscape packed with history stories olive trees and orange groves The fertile countryside speckled with ancient villages makes me feel slightly jealous given that I was arriving from the Netherlands where everything is so straight-lined and man-made A sigh escapes my lips as we drive further into the glorious landscape Yes this is definitely a very very nice part of the world

The rich history of the former kingdom of Valencia surrounds us almost as if we are time travelling The Moors ruled this region for a long time before the Christians took over and the villages and towns are a mix of historic buildings with some parts even dating back to the Romans Our journey leads us through a gargantuan gorge where the road is lined by steep mountains as if we are the river cutting right through them

The village on the mountain

Suddenly the village of Bocairent is upon us A closely knitted bundle of buildings and houses crowded on top of a tall grey mountain as if it had been lifted above the earth and deposited in heaven Do the gods live here An image of Mount Olympus flashes through my mind Was this even real

lsquoA beautiful landscape packed with history stories olive trees and orange

grovesrsquo

lsquoThrough a gargantuan gorge where the road is lined by steep mountains as if we are the river cutting right through

themrsquo

feature7

8feature

make our way from cave to cave through extremely narrow passages and it is quite a challenge to get all of our limbs through in neone piece I felt like a kid on the greatest climbing frame ever

Welcome rain

By the time we leave the caves it is seriously raining and we walk back up the mountain as quickly as we can being careful not to lose our footing on the now slippery rocks We manage to make it back to the minibus and head north through a wet and foggy landscape Locals tell us it had been three months since it last rained and they are hoping the rain will persist and douse the forest fires Itrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beauty

The following day we rise to a raging storm but the good news is that the fires have been extinguished and the farmers are happy We set off on a boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward us Occasionally we pass a ruin or castle visible on the mountain tops

News that a bridge in the neighbourhood has been washed away by the rain greets us on day three There had been a complete reversal from fire to water over our few days in the Province of Valencia It feels like a fitting narrative for a country in which people seem very connected to the land and extremely proud of it It seems that wherever nature is so stunningly beautiful it is easy to love it and live in harmony with it

From the bullring we walk out of the village to discover the surrounding area The hills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of different herbs scented flowers and bushes A pilgrimsrsquo route next to the village ascends a mountain covered in yellow bushes and black trees the remnants of previous forest fires The news today is that several fires are still ravaging the area We hear the sad news that one of the hotels belonging to the same owners as the one at which we will be staying that night is dangerously threatened by the fires So much so that all the guests have to be relocated a reality check on how close the fires really are

After a walk down the hill we come close to a sheer-sided mountain we have already spotted a few times Its face is dotted with little squares 50 to be precise Our guide Mateo tells us that each of these squares was the window to a small cave carved into the side of the mountain The theory is that the caves were used to store food in ancient times but no one really knows for sure Back then it was only possible to reach the caves via ropes hanging from the top of the mountain These days there are two stairways leading up to the caves and all of the cavities have been connected creating a crazy labyrinth within the mountain

By the time we reach the bottom of the stairs a few drops of rain begin to fall so we hurry inside which isnrsquot easy as the interiors are tiny The caves are about 10-13 metres in height and the walls are of stark white rock which sheds a bit of chalky dust here and there The view from the tiny square windows is marvellous Itrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little house We

lsquoHills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of

different herbs scented flowers and bushesrsquo

lsquoItrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little houselsquo

feature9

10feature

feature11

12feature

lsquoItrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey

rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beautyrsquo

feature13

14feature

feature15

16feature

lsquoA boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically

green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward usrsquo

feature17

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 3: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

E-mail sentinelpostgmailcomWebsite wwwthesentineleu

Contributors Eva Haan Sam van Dam David King 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

restaurant review - p 58

eco-travel - p 30 travel - p 44 perspectives - p 54

star beer guidel - p 64 amsterdam city lifel - p 67

technology - p 78

spotted - p 70

classifieds

trends - p 72film review - p 71

Spain The sound of silence

Shanti

France The memory of water Australiarsquos next virgin I have a dream

Duvel (Citra 2012) bring back

Your technology

Where is this in Amsterdam

Style watch (out)room 2c

sport - p 82

On the Volley

lsquoA closely knitted bundle of buildings and houses crowded on top of a tall

grey mountainrsquo

lsquoThe little-known Sanskrit word for peacersquo

lsquoA fine and diverse cityrsquo

lsquoSeeking doesnrsquot always mean findingrsquo

Naked Brussels

A time to cleanse

Master Chefs

The Gold Room

culture - p 18

health amp well-being - p 74

art - p 50

sport - p 86

more

TheSound

ofSilence

4feature

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

With newspapers in the Netherlands full of talk about Spainrsquos desperate economic situation and raging forest fires in the Valencia region I am not sure what to expect on arrival at the cityrsquos Manises Airport Spainrsquos eighth-busiest airport in terms of passenger volume

TheSound

Breathtaking Valencia province and the immaculate village of Bocairent

feature5

6feature

It is already late so we quickly head to our hotel a magnificent old house with a traditional interior and welcoming rooms After dinner we are offered a late-night tour of the village Itrsquos the quietest walk Irsquove ever taken in my life It is only about 1030pm but the moonlit streets of the historic village are completely empty It is as if we have accidentally walked on to an empty movie set The additional light from the streetlamps envelopes everything in a golden haze The air is gentle and warm and the only sounds are those of our footsteps The tiny village in the clouds harbours a famous cathedral with an intricately painted ceiling sometimes referred to as lsquothe Sistine Chapel of Valenciarsquo by the locals At this time of night the doors are opened especially for us The people we meet in Bocairent have a quiet self-assurance about them they seem as connected to the stone beneath them as the village itself

Into the hills of fire

The village looks different in the still morning light but it is just as quiet as the night before The houses are painted in a variety of earthy and pastel shades and the street signs are made from beautifully painted ceramic tiles a speciality of the Valencia region The impressive bullring in the centre of town is carved out of the grey stone of the mountain beneath us It is still used once a year for lsquofightsrsquo and it is a strange sensation to stand in the middle of the arena like a torero a personal encounter with a cultural aspect of Spain that is hard to understand for outsiders like me It provokes the same kind of discussion on hypocrisy as does the Zwarte Piet phenomenon in Dutch culture

Initially things seem fine The weather is gently warm the airport seems nicely busy and after a warm welcome we are on the road within a couple of minutes The drive from Valencia to our destination the village of Bocairent is an experience in itself It takes us right to the heart of the province and a completely different state of mind Provided you have a good driver (and we had a great one) it is a worthwhile journey The winding roads take you through a beautiful landscape packed with history stories olive trees and orange groves The fertile countryside speckled with ancient villages makes me feel slightly jealous given that I was arriving from the Netherlands where everything is so straight-lined and man-made A sigh escapes my lips as we drive further into the glorious landscape Yes this is definitely a very very nice part of the world

The rich history of the former kingdom of Valencia surrounds us almost as if we are time travelling The Moors ruled this region for a long time before the Christians took over and the villages and towns are a mix of historic buildings with some parts even dating back to the Romans Our journey leads us through a gargantuan gorge where the road is lined by steep mountains as if we are the river cutting right through them

The village on the mountain

Suddenly the village of Bocairent is upon us A closely knitted bundle of buildings and houses crowded on top of a tall grey mountain as if it had been lifted above the earth and deposited in heaven Do the gods live here An image of Mount Olympus flashes through my mind Was this even real

lsquoA beautiful landscape packed with history stories olive trees and orange

grovesrsquo

lsquoThrough a gargantuan gorge where the road is lined by steep mountains as if we are the river cutting right through

themrsquo

feature7

8feature

make our way from cave to cave through extremely narrow passages and it is quite a challenge to get all of our limbs through in neone piece I felt like a kid on the greatest climbing frame ever

Welcome rain

By the time we leave the caves it is seriously raining and we walk back up the mountain as quickly as we can being careful not to lose our footing on the now slippery rocks We manage to make it back to the minibus and head north through a wet and foggy landscape Locals tell us it had been three months since it last rained and they are hoping the rain will persist and douse the forest fires Itrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beauty

The following day we rise to a raging storm but the good news is that the fires have been extinguished and the farmers are happy We set off on a boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward us Occasionally we pass a ruin or castle visible on the mountain tops

News that a bridge in the neighbourhood has been washed away by the rain greets us on day three There had been a complete reversal from fire to water over our few days in the Province of Valencia It feels like a fitting narrative for a country in which people seem very connected to the land and extremely proud of it It seems that wherever nature is so stunningly beautiful it is easy to love it and live in harmony with it

From the bullring we walk out of the village to discover the surrounding area The hills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of different herbs scented flowers and bushes A pilgrimsrsquo route next to the village ascends a mountain covered in yellow bushes and black trees the remnants of previous forest fires The news today is that several fires are still ravaging the area We hear the sad news that one of the hotels belonging to the same owners as the one at which we will be staying that night is dangerously threatened by the fires So much so that all the guests have to be relocated a reality check on how close the fires really are

After a walk down the hill we come close to a sheer-sided mountain we have already spotted a few times Its face is dotted with little squares 50 to be precise Our guide Mateo tells us that each of these squares was the window to a small cave carved into the side of the mountain The theory is that the caves were used to store food in ancient times but no one really knows for sure Back then it was only possible to reach the caves via ropes hanging from the top of the mountain These days there are two stairways leading up to the caves and all of the cavities have been connected creating a crazy labyrinth within the mountain

By the time we reach the bottom of the stairs a few drops of rain begin to fall so we hurry inside which isnrsquot easy as the interiors are tiny The caves are about 10-13 metres in height and the walls are of stark white rock which sheds a bit of chalky dust here and there The view from the tiny square windows is marvellous Itrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little house We

lsquoHills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of

different herbs scented flowers and bushesrsquo

lsquoItrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little houselsquo

feature9

10feature

feature11

12feature

lsquoItrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey

rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beautyrsquo

feature13

14feature

feature15

16feature

lsquoA boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically

green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward usrsquo

feature17

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 4: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

TheSound

ofSilence

4feature

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

With newspapers in the Netherlands full of talk about Spainrsquos desperate economic situation and raging forest fires in the Valencia region I am not sure what to expect on arrival at the cityrsquos Manises Airport Spainrsquos eighth-busiest airport in terms of passenger volume

TheSound

Breathtaking Valencia province and the immaculate village of Bocairent

feature5

6feature

It is already late so we quickly head to our hotel a magnificent old house with a traditional interior and welcoming rooms After dinner we are offered a late-night tour of the village Itrsquos the quietest walk Irsquove ever taken in my life It is only about 1030pm but the moonlit streets of the historic village are completely empty It is as if we have accidentally walked on to an empty movie set The additional light from the streetlamps envelopes everything in a golden haze The air is gentle and warm and the only sounds are those of our footsteps The tiny village in the clouds harbours a famous cathedral with an intricately painted ceiling sometimes referred to as lsquothe Sistine Chapel of Valenciarsquo by the locals At this time of night the doors are opened especially for us The people we meet in Bocairent have a quiet self-assurance about them they seem as connected to the stone beneath them as the village itself

Into the hills of fire

The village looks different in the still morning light but it is just as quiet as the night before The houses are painted in a variety of earthy and pastel shades and the street signs are made from beautifully painted ceramic tiles a speciality of the Valencia region The impressive bullring in the centre of town is carved out of the grey stone of the mountain beneath us It is still used once a year for lsquofightsrsquo and it is a strange sensation to stand in the middle of the arena like a torero a personal encounter with a cultural aspect of Spain that is hard to understand for outsiders like me It provokes the same kind of discussion on hypocrisy as does the Zwarte Piet phenomenon in Dutch culture

Initially things seem fine The weather is gently warm the airport seems nicely busy and after a warm welcome we are on the road within a couple of minutes The drive from Valencia to our destination the village of Bocairent is an experience in itself It takes us right to the heart of the province and a completely different state of mind Provided you have a good driver (and we had a great one) it is a worthwhile journey The winding roads take you through a beautiful landscape packed with history stories olive trees and orange groves The fertile countryside speckled with ancient villages makes me feel slightly jealous given that I was arriving from the Netherlands where everything is so straight-lined and man-made A sigh escapes my lips as we drive further into the glorious landscape Yes this is definitely a very very nice part of the world

The rich history of the former kingdom of Valencia surrounds us almost as if we are time travelling The Moors ruled this region for a long time before the Christians took over and the villages and towns are a mix of historic buildings with some parts even dating back to the Romans Our journey leads us through a gargantuan gorge where the road is lined by steep mountains as if we are the river cutting right through them

The village on the mountain

Suddenly the village of Bocairent is upon us A closely knitted bundle of buildings and houses crowded on top of a tall grey mountain as if it had been lifted above the earth and deposited in heaven Do the gods live here An image of Mount Olympus flashes through my mind Was this even real

lsquoA beautiful landscape packed with history stories olive trees and orange

grovesrsquo

lsquoThrough a gargantuan gorge where the road is lined by steep mountains as if we are the river cutting right through

themrsquo

feature7

8feature

make our way from cave to cave through extremely narrow passages and it is quite a challenge to get all of our limbs through in neone piece I felt like a kid on the greatest climbing frame ever

Welcome rain

By the time we leave the caves it is seriously raining and we walk back up the mountain as quickly as we can being careful not to lose our footing on the now slippery rocks We manage to make it back to the minibus and head north through a wet and foggy landscape Locals tell us it had been three months since it last rained and they are hoping the rain will persist and douse the forest fires Itrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beauty

The following day we rise to a raging storm but the good news is that the fires have been extinguished and the farmers are happy We set off on a boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward us Occasionally we pass a ruin or castle visible on the mountain tops

News that a bridge in the neighbourhood has been washed away by the rain greets us on day three There had been a complete reversal from fire to water over our few days in the Province of Valencia It feels like a fitting narrative for a country in which people seem very connected to the land and extremely proud of it It seems that wherever nature is so stunningly beautiful it is easy to love it and live in harmony with it

From the bullring we walk out of the village to discover the surrounding area The hills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of different herbs scented flowers and bushes A pilgrimsrsquo route next to the village ascends a mountain covered in yellow bushes and black trees the remnants of previous forest fires The news today is that several fires are still ravaging the area We hear the sad news that one of the hotels belonging to the same owners as the one at which we will be staying that night is dangerously threatened by the fires So much so that all the guests have to be relocated a reality check on how close the fires really are

After a walk down the hill we come close to a sheer-sided mountain we have already spotted a few times Its face is dotted with little squares 50 to be precise Our guide Mateo tells us that each of these squares was the window to a small cave carved into the side of the mountain The theory is that the caves were used to store food in ancient times but no one really knows for sure Back then it was only possible to reach the caves via ropes hanging from the top of the mountain These days there are two stairways leading up to the caves and all of the cavities have been connected creating a crazy labyrinth within the mountain

By the time we reach the bottom of the stairs a few drops of rain begin to fall so we hurry inside which isnrsquot easy as the interiors are tiny The caves are about 10-13 metres in height and the walls are of stark white rock which sheds a bit of chalky dust here and there The view from the tiny square windows is marvellous Itrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little house We

lsquoHills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of

different herbs scented flowers and bushesrsquo

lsquoItrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little houselsquo

feature9

10feature

feature11

12feature

lsquoItrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey

rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beautyrsquo

feature13

14feature

feature15

16feature

lsquoA boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically

green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward usrsquo

feature17

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 5: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

With newspapers in the Netherlands full of talk about Spainrsquos desperate economic situation and raging forest fires in the Valencia region I am not sure what to expect on arrival at the cityrsquos Manises Airport Spainrsquos eighth-busiest airport in terms of passenger volume

TheSound

Breathtaking Valencia province and the immaculate village of Bocairent

feature5

6feature

It is already late so we quickly head to our hotel a magnificent old house with a traditional interior and welcoming rooms After dinner we are offered a late-night tour of the village Itrsquos the quietest walk Irsquove ever taken in my life It is only about 1030pm but the moonlit streets of the historic village are completely empty It is as if we have accidentally walked on to an empty movie set The additional light from the streetlamps envelopes everything in a golden haze The air is gentle and warm and the only sounds are those of our footsteps The tiny village in the clouds harbours a famous cathedral with an intricately painted ceiling sometimes referred to as lsquothe Sistine Chapel of Valenciarsquo by the locals At this time of night the doors are opened especially for us The people we meet in Bocairent have a quiet self-assurance about them they seem as connected to the stone beneath them as the village itself

Into the hills of fire

The village looks different in the still morning light but it is just as quiet as the night before The houses are painted in a variety of earthy and pastel shades and the street signs are made from beautifully painted ceramic tiles a speciality of the Valencia region The impressive bullring in the centre of town is carved out of the grey stone of the mountain beneath us It is still used once a year for lsquofightsrsquo and it is a strange sensation to stand in the middle of the arena like a torero a personal encounter with a cultural aspect of Spain that is hard to understand for outsiders like me It provokes the same kind of discussion on hypocrisy as does the Zwarte Piet phenomenon in Dutch culture

Initially things seem fine The weather is gently warm the airport seems nicely busy and after a warm welcome we are on the road within a couple of minutes The drive from Valencia to our destination the village of Bocairent is an experience in itself It takes us right to the heart of the province and a completely different state of mind Provided you have a good driver (and we had a great one) it is a worthwhile journey The winding roads take you through a beautiful landscape packed with history stories olive trees and orange groves The fertile countryside speckled with ancient villages makes me feel slightly jealous given that I was arriving from the Netherlands where everything is so straight-lined and man-made A sigh escapes my lips as we drive further into the glorious landscape Yes this is definitely a very very nice part of the world

The rich history of the former kingdom of Valencia surrounds us almost as if we are time travelling The Moors ruled this region for a long time before the Christians took over and the villages and towns are a mix of historic buildings with some parts even dating back to the Romans Our journey leads us through a gargantuan gorge where the road is lined by steep mountains as if we are the river cutting right through them

The village on the mountain

Suddenly the village of Bocairent is upon us A closely knitted bundle of buildings and houses crowded on top of a tall grey mountain as if it had been lifted above the earth and deposited in heaven Do the gods live here An image of Mount Olympus flashes through my mind Was this even real

lsquoA beautiful landscape packed with history stories olive trees and orange

grovesrsquo

lsquoThrough a gargantuan gorge where the road is lined by steep mountains as if we are the river cutting right through

themrsquo

feature7

8feature

make our way from cave to cave through extremely narrow passages and it is quite a challenge to get all of our limbs through in neone piece I felt like a kid on the greatest climbing frame ever

Welcome rain

By the time we leave the caves it is seriously raining and we walk back up the mountain as quickly as we can being careful not to lose our footing on the now slippery rocks We manage to make it back to the minibus and head north through a wet and foggy landscape Locals tell us it had been three months since it last rained and they are hoping the rain will persist and douse the forest fires Itrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beauty

The following day we rise to a raging storm but the good news is that the fires have been extinguished and the farmers are happy We set off on a boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward us Occasionally we pass a ruin or castle visible on the mountain tops

News that a bridge in the neighbourhood has been washed away by the rain greets us on day three There had been a complete reversal from fire to water over our few days in the Province of Valencia It feels like a fitting narrative for a country in which people seem very connected to the land and extremely proud of it It seems that wherever nature is so stunningly beautiful it is easy to love it and live in harmony with it

From the bullring we walk out of the village to discover the surrounding area The hills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of different herbs scented flowers and bushes A pilgrimsrsquo route next to the village ascends a mountain covered in yellow bushes and black trees the remnants of previous forest fires The news today is that several fires are still ravaging the area We hear the sad news that one of the hotels belonging to the same owners as the one at which we will be staying that night is dangerously threatened by the fires So much so that all the guests have to be relocated a reality check on how close the fires really are

After a walk down the hill we come close to a sheer-sided mountain we have already spotted a few times Its face is dotted with little squares 50 to be precise Our guide Mateo tells us that each of these squares was the window to a small cave carved into the side of the mountain The theory is that the caves were used to store food in ancient times but no one really knows for sure Back then it was only possible to reach the caves via ropes hanging from the top of the mountain These days there are two stairways leading up to the caves and all of the cavities have been connected creating a crazy labyrinth within the mountain

By the time we reach the bottom of the stairs a few drops of rain begin to fall so we hurry inside which isnrsquot easy as the interiors are tiny The caves are about 10-13 metres in height and the walls are of stark white rock which sheds a bit of chalky dust here and there The view from the tiny square windows is marvellous Itrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little house We

lsquoHills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of

different herbs scented flowers and bushesrsquo

lsquoItrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little houselsquo

feature9

10feature

feature11

12feature

lsquoItrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey

rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beautyrsquo

feature13

14feature

feature15

16feature

lsquoA boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically

green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward usrsquo

feature17

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 6: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

6feature

It is already late so we quickly head to our hotel a magnificent old house with a traditional interior and welcoming rooms After dinner we are offered a late-night tour of the village Itrsquos the quietest walk Irsquove ever taken in my life It is only about 1030pm but the moonlit streets of the historic village are completely empty It is as if we have accidentally walked on to an empty movie set The additional light from the streetlamps envelopes everything in a golden haze The air is gentle and warm and the only sounds are those of our footsteps The tiny village in the clouds harbours a famous cathedral with an intricately painted ceiling sometimes referred to as lsquothe Sistine Chapel of Valenciarsquo by the locals At this time of night the doors are opened especially for us The people we meet in Bocairent have a quiet self-assurance about them they seem as connected to the stone beneath them as the village itself

Into the hills of fire

The village looks different in the still morning light but it is just as quiet as the night before The houses are painted in a variety of earthy and pastel shades and the street signs are made from beautifully painted ceramic tiles a speciality of the Valencia region The impressive bullring in the centre of town is carved out of the grey stone of the mountain beneath us It is still used once a year for lsquofightsrsquo and it is a strange sensation to stand in the middle of the arena like a torero a personal encounter with a cultural aspect of Spain that is hard to understand for outsiders like me It provokes the same kind of discussion on hypocrisy as does the Zwarte Piet phenomenon in Dutch culture

Initially things seem fine The weather is gently warm the airport seems nicely busy and after a warm welcome we are on the road within a couple of minutes The drive from Valencia to our destination the village of Bocairent is an experience in itself It takes us right to the heart of the province and a completely different state of mind Provided you have a good driver (and we had a great one) it is a worthwhile journey The winding roads take you through a beautiful landscape packed with history stories olive trees and orange groves The fertile countryside speckled with ancient villages makes me feel slightly jealous given that I was arriving from the Netherlands where everything is so straight-lined and man-made A sigh escapes my lips as we drive further into the glorious landscape Yes this is definitely a very very nice part of the world

The rich history of the former kingdom of Valencia surrounds us almost as if we are time travelling The Moors ruled this region for a long time before the Christians took over and the villages and towns are a mix of historic buildings with some parts even dating back to the Romans Our journey leads us through a gargantuan gorge where the road is lined by steep mountains as if we are the river cutting right through them

The village on the mountain

Suddenly the village of Bocairent is upon us A closely knitted bundle of buildings and houses crowded on top of a tall grey mountain as if it had been lifted above the earth and deposited in heaven Do the gods live here An image of Mount Olympus flashes through my mind Was this even real

lsquoA beautiful landscape packed with history stories olive trees and orange

grovesrsquo

lsquoThrough a gargantuan gorge where the road is lined by steep mountains as if we are the river cutting right through

themrsquo

feature7

8feature

make our way from cave to cave through extremely narrow passages and it is quite a challenge to get all of our limbs through in neone piece I felt like a kid on the greatest climbing frame ever

Welcome rain

By the time we leave the caves it is seriously raining and we walk back up the mountain as quickly as we can being careful not to lose our footing on the now slippery rocks We manage to make it back to the minibus and head north through a wet and foggy landscape Locals tell us it had been three months since it last rained and they are hoping the rain will persist and douse the forest fires Itrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beauty

The following day we rise to a raging storm but the good news is that the fires have been extinguished and the farmers are happy We set off on a boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward us Occasionally we pass a ruin or castle visible on the mountain tops

News that a bridge in the neighbourhood has been washed away by the rain greets us on day three There had been a complete reversal from fire to water over our few days in the Province of Valencia It feels like a fitting narrative for a country in which people seem very connected to the land and extremely proud of it It seems that wherever nature is so stunningly beautiful it is easy to love it and live in harmony with it

From the bullring we walk out of the village to discover the surrounding area The hills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of different herbs scented flowers and bushes A pilgrimsrsquo route next to the village ascends a mountain covered in yellow bushes and black trees the remnants of previous forest fires The news today is that several fires are still ravaging the area We hear the sad news that one of the hotels belonging to the same owners as the one at which we will be staying that night is dangerously threatened by the fires So much so that all the guests have to be relocated a reality check on how close the fires really are

After a walk down the hill we come close to a sheer-sided mountain we have already spotted a few times Its face is dotted with little squares 50 to be precise Our guide Mateo tells us that each of these squares was the window to a small cave carved into the side of the mountain The theory is that the caves were used to store food in ancient times but no one really knows for sure Back then it was only possible to reach the caves via ropes hanging from the top of the mountain These days there are two stairways leading up to the caves and all of the cavities have been connected creating a crazy labyrinth within the mountain

By the time we reach the bottom of the stairs a few drops of rain begin to fall so we hurry inside which isnrsquot easy as the interiors are tiny The caves are about 10-13 metres in height and the walls are of stark white rock which sheds a bit of chalky dust here and there The view from the tiny square windows is marvellous Itrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little house We

lsquoHills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of

different herbs scented flowers and bushesrsquo

lsquoItrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little houselsquo

feature9

10feature

feature11

12feature

lsquoItrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey

rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beautyrsquo

feature13

14feature

feature15

16feature

lsquoA boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically

green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward usrsquo

feature17

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 7: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

It is already late so we quickly head to our hotel a magnificent old house with a traditional interior and welcoming rooms After dinner we are offered a late-night tour of the village Itrsquos the quietest walk Irsquove ever taken in my life It is only about 1030pm but the moonlit streets of the historic village are completely empty It is as if we have accidentally walked on to an empty movie set The additional light from the streetlamps envelopes everything in a golden haze The air is gentle and warm and the only sounds are those of our footsteps The tiny village in the clouds harbours a famous cathedral with an intricately painted ceiling sometimes referred to as lsquothe Sistine Chapel of Valenciarsquo by the locals At this time of night the doors are opened especially for us The people we meet in Bocairent have a quiet self-assurance about them they seem as connected to the stone beneath them as the village itself

Into the hills of fire

The village looks different in the still morning light but it is just as quiet as the night before The houses are painted in a variety of earthy and pastel shades and the street signs are made from beautifully painted ceramic tiles a speciality of the Valencia region The impressive bullring in the centre of town is carved out of the grey stone of the mountain beneath us It is still used once a year for lsquofightsrsquo and it is a strange sensation to stand in the middle of the arena like a torero a personal encounter with a cultural aspect of Spain that is hard to understand for outsiders like me It provokes the same kind of discussion on hypocrisy as does the Zwarte Piet phenomenon in Dutch culture

Initially things seem fine The weather is gently warm the airport seems nicely busy and after a warm welcome we are on the road within a couple of minutes The drive from Valencia to our destination the village of Bocairent is an experience in itself It takes us right to the heart of the province and a completely different state of mind Provided you have a good driver (and we had a great one) it is a worthwhile journey The winding roads take you through a beautiful landscape packed with history stories olive trees and orange groves The fertile countryside speckled with ancient villages makes me feel slightly jealous given that I was arriving from the Netherlands where everything is so straight-lined and man-made A sigh escapes my lips as we drive further into the glorious landscape Yes this is definitely a very very nice part of the world

The rich history of the former kingdom of Valencia surrounds us almost as if we are time travelling The Moors ruled this region for a long time before the Christians took over and the villages and towns are a mix of historic buildings with some parts even dating back to the Romans Our journey leads us through a gargantuan gorge where the road is lined by steep mountains as if we are the river cutting right through them

The village on the mountain

Suddenly the village of Bocairent is upon us A closely knitted bundle of buildings and houses crowded on top of a tall grey mountain as if it had been lifted above the earth and deposited in heaven Do the gods live here An image of Mount Olympus flashes through my mind Was this even real

lsquoA beautiful landscape packed with history stories olive trees and orange

grovesrsquo

lsquoThrough a gargantuan gorge where the road is lined by steep mountains as if we are the river cutting right through

themrsquo

feature7

8feature

make our way from cave to cave through extremely narrow passages and it is quite a challenge to get all of our limbs through in neone piece I felt like a kid on the greatest climbing frame ever

Welcome rain

By the time we leave the caves it is seriously raining and we walk back up the mountain as quickly as we can being careful not to lose our footing on the now slippery rocks We manage to make it back to the minibus and head north through a wet and foggy landscape Locals tell us it had been three months since it last rained and they are hoping the rain will persist and douse the forest fires Itrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beauty

The following day we rise to a raging storm but the good news is that the fires have been extinguished and the farmers are happy We set off on a boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward us Occasionally we pass a ruin or castle visible on the mountain tops

News that a bridge in the neighbourhood has been washed away by the rain greets us on day three There had been a complete reversal from fire to water over our few days in the Province of Valencia It feels like a fitting narrative for a country in which people seem very connected to the land and extremely proud of it It seems that wherever nature is so stunningly beautiful it is easy to love it and live in harmony with it

From the bullring we walk out of the village to discover the surrounding area The hills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of different herbs scented flowers and bushes A pilgrimsrsquo route next to the village ascends a mountain covered in yellow bushes and black trees the remnants of previous forest fires The news today is that several fires are still ravaging the area We hear the sad news that one of the hotels belonging to the same owners as the one at which we will be staying that night is dangerously threatened by the fires So much so that all the guests have to be relocated a reality check on how close the fires really are

After a walk down the hill we come close to a sheer-sided mountain we have already spotted a few times Its face is dotted with little squares 50 to be precise Our guide Mateo tells us that each of these squares was the window to a small cave carved into the side of the mountain The theory is that the caves were used to store food in ancient times but no one really knows for sure Back then it was only possible to reach the caves via ropes hanging from the top of the mountain These days there are two stairways leading up to the caves and all of the cavities have been connected creating a crazy labyrinth within the mountain

By the time we reach the bottom of the stairs a few drops of rain begin to fall so we hurry inside which isnrsquot easy as the interiors are tiny The caves are about 10-13 metres in height and the walls are of stark white rock which sheds a bit of chalky dust here and there The view from the tiny square windows is marvellous Itrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little house We

lsquoHills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of

different herbs scented flowers and bushesrsquo

lsquoItrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little houselsquo

feature9

10feature

feature11

12feature

lsquoItrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey

rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beautyrsquo

feature13

14feature

feature15

16feature

lsquoA boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically

green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward usrsquo

feature17

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 8: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

8feature

make our way from cave to cave through extremely narrow passages and it is quite a challenge to get all of our limbs through in neone piece I felt like a kid on the greatest climbing frame ever

Welcome rain

By the time we leave the caves it is seriously raining and we walk back up the mountain as quickly as we can being careful not to lose our footing on the now slippery rocks We manage to make it back to the minibus and head north through a wet and foggy landscape Locals tell us it had been three months since it last rained and they are hoping the rain will persist and douse the forest fires Itrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beauty

The following day we rise to a raging storm but the good news is that the fires have been extinguished and the farmers are happy We set off on a boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward us Occasionally we pass a ruin or castle visible on the mountain tops

News that a bridge in the neighbourhood has been washed away by the rain greets us on day three There had been a complete reversal from fire to water over our few days in the Province of Valencia It feels like a fitting narrative for a country in which people seem very connected to the land and extremely proud of it It seems that wherever nature is so stunningly beautiful it is easy to love it and live in harmony with it

From the bullring we walk out of the village to discover the surrounding area The hills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of different herbs scented flowers and bushes A pilgrimsrsquo route next to the village ascends a mountain covered in yellow bushes and black trees the remnants of previous forest fires The news today is that several fires are still ravaging the area We hear the sad news that one of the hotels belonging to the same owners as the one at which we will be staying that night is dangerously threatened by the fires So much so that all the guests have to be relocated a reality check on how close the fires really are

After a walk down the hill we come close to a sheer-sided mountain we have already spotted a few times Its face is dotted with little squares 50 to be precise Our guide Mateo tells us that each of these squares was the window to a small cave carved into the side of the mountain The theory is that the caves were used to store food in ancient times but no one really knows for sure Back then it was only possible to reach the caves via ropes hanging from the top of the mountain These days there are two stairways leading up to the caves and all of the cavities have been connected creating a crazy labyrinth within the mountain

By the time we reach the bottom of the stairs a few drops of rain begin to fall so we hurry inside which isnrsquot easy as the interiors are tiny The caves are about 10-13 metres in height and the walls are of stark white rock which sheds a bit of chalky dust here and there The view from the tiny square windows is marvellous Itrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little house We

lsquoHills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of

different herbs scented flowers and bushesrsquo

lsquoItrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little houselsquo

feature9

10feature

feature11

12feature

lsquoItrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey

rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beautyrsquo

feature13

14feature

feature15

16feature

lsquoA boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically

green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward usrsquo

feature17

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 9: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

make our way from cave to cave through extremely narrow passages and it is quite a challenge to get all of our limbs through in neone piece I felt like a kid on the greatest climbing frame ever

Welcome rain

By the time we leave the caves it is seriously raining and we walk back up the mountain as quickly as we can being careful not to lose our footing on the now slippery rocks We manage to make it back to the minibus and head north through a wet and foggy landscape Locals tell us it had been three months since it last rained and they are hoping the rain will persist and douse the forest fires Itrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beauty

The following day we rise to a raging storm but the good news is that the fires have been extinguished and the farmers are happy We set off on a boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward us Occasionally we pass a ruin or castle visible on the mountain tops

News that a bridge in the neighbourhood has been washed away by the rain greets us on day three There had been a complete reversal from fire to water over our few days in the Province of Valencia It feels like a fitting narrative for a country in which people seem very connected to the land and extremely proud of it It seems that wherever nature is so stunningly beautiful it is easy to love it and live in harmony with it

From the bullring we walk out of the village to discover the surrounding area The hills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of different herbs scented flowers and bushes A pilgrimsrsquo route next to the village ascends a mountain covered in yellow bushes and black trees the remnants of previous forest fires The news today is that several fires are still ravaging the area We hear the sad news that one of the hotels belonging to the same owners as the one at which we will be staying that night is dangerously threatened by the fires So much so that all the guests have to be relocated a reality check on how close the fires really are

After a walk down the hill we come close to a sheer-sided mountain we have already spotted a few times Its face is dotted with little squares 50 to be precise Our guide Mateo tells us that each of these squares was the window to a small cave carved into the side of the mountain The theory is that the caves were used to store food in ancient times but no one really knows for sure Back then it was only possible to reach the caves via ropes hanging from the top of the mountain These days there are two stairways leading up to the caves and all of the cavities have been connected creating a crazy labyrinth within the mountain

By the time we reach the bottom of the stairs a few drops of rain begin to fall so we hurry inside which isnrsquot easy as the interiors are tiny The caves are about 10-13 metres in height and the walls are of stark white rock which sheds a bit of chalky dust here and there The view from the tiny square windows is marvellous Itrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little house We

lsquoHills are bristling with lavender aniseed flowers rosemary and all sorts of

different herbs scented flowers and bushesrsquo

lsquoItrsquos like being a hobbit in a perfect little houselsquo

feature9

10feature

feature11

12feature

lsquoItrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey

rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beautyrsquo

feature13

14feature

feature15

16feature

lsquoA boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically

green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward usrsquo

feature17

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 10: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

10feature

feature11

12feature

lsquoItrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey

rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beautyrsquo

feature13

14feature

feature15

16feature

lsquoA boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically

green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward usrsquo

feature17

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 11: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

feature11

12feature

lsquoItrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey

rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beautyrsquo

feature13

14feature

feature15

16feature

lsquoA boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically

green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward usrsquo

feature17

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 12: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

12feature

lsquoItrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey

rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beautyrsquo

feature13

14feature

feature15

16feature

lsquoA boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically

green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward usrsquo

feature17

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 13: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

lsquoItrsquos a different panorama to the usual sunny landscapes but the dark-grey

rolling clouds create a completely new and dramatic beautyrsquo

feature13

14feature

feature15

16feature

lsquoA boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically

green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward usrsquo

feature17

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 14: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

14feature

feature15

16feature

lsquoA boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically

green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward usrsquo

feature17

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 15: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

feature15

16feature

lsquoA boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically

green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward usrsquo

feature17

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 16: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

16feature

lsquoA boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically

green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward usrsquo

feature17

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 17: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

lsquoA boat trip that could have featured in the Lord of the Rings on magically

green water surrounded by dramatic views of erratically shaped mountains with fog rolling down them toward usrsquo

feature17

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 18: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

18culture

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 19: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

It is hoped that the following photos offer an appreciable glimpse of Euro Capital City Brussels is relatively close to Amsterdam and the Netherlands and has a cultural and fun output that is very accessible to anyone not overly preoccupied with what the city lsquomeansrsquo and lsquorepresentsrsquo in bureaucratic terms to European Union citizens This is a fine and diverse city which works very hard on its image and it is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgement You may come to realise why Brussellers are not exactly furious if you fail to get the goodness they lay down in front of you hence leaving more for them and those who do

Irsquom struggling to think of another city that can offer comparable sights and sounds ranging from a Brad Pitt-owned art gallery and jazz cafeacute (LlsquoArchiduc) to a lightweight Betty Boop floating silently above the royal courtyard at the heart of Europe

By Denson Pierre

A sunshine-soaked walk through Brussels on a Saturday morningafternoon can bring enjoyment and education especially if you are being guided The central old city can cause navigational suffering to the unfamiliar tourist however I believe that historically the city grew outwards from its core without any particular Roman-style street layout planning as generally found elsewhere It is a spiderrsquos web which can exhaust and frustrate With a local in tow however the pleasures of smooth pedestrian travel were re-introduced to our lives

Naked Brussels

lsquoIt is down to you to check it out properly and without pre-judgementrsquo

19culture

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 20: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

20culture

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 21: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

21culture

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 22: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

22culture

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 23: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

23culture

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 24: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

24culture

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 25: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

25culture

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 26: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

26culture

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 27: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

27culture

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 28: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

28classifi eds

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 29: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

29classifi eds

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 30: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

cunning engineering is there to behold from showers instead of baths and motion- and sound-activated lighting to natural biodegradable detergents used in cleaning even on an industrial scale (as much as possible) Evidently the kitchen and cleaning towels are made of special micro-fibres meaning more efficient absorption and minimal need for detergents for simple cleaning jobs

Energy and resource saving30 on gas30 on water use50 less watering of gardens due to special mulchRechargeable batteries on door locksWaste paper recycled and re-used in the form of stationary and in toiletsPolitical association of councils to administer the lsquototal localrsquo policy

On cue we were joined by the local expert and head of the association (httpwwwioddeorg) charged with educating visitors and hobbyist foot-fishermen women and children on the balanced approach to

Ultimately it was a fine way to end a summer of travel for me Atout France and the people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping eco-conscious wares and they even saved the best for last Being honest though this does not mean best in terms of better than the rest of the trip but the last full day was just more

Now we were on Ile drsquoOleron the largest of the three islands waking to another refined breakfast this time at the major eco-label awarded Les Cleunes Hotel (wwwhotel-les-cleunescom) Even though this hotel is part of a chain it manifests the commendable intentions of its owners who are committed to the sense and advantages of the sustainable approach even in a medium-sized luxury operation

Breakfast consisting of totally local organic produce and homemade jams was followed by a round-table discussion during which Herve and Christine explained how their approach works and its benefits Most of the discussion revolved around how difficult it can be to keep the eco-labelling assessors happy at times but this was balanced by the knowledge that the hotelrsquos many guests all leave with a better sense of how energy can be saved and less inorganic toxins used in lsquocleaningrsquo as well as in modern efficient landscaped garden care They use organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periods and in so doing greatly reduces demand in this readily arid area All manner of

The memory of water

By Denson Pierre

ndash

lsquoThe people of Poitu Charentes were intent on showing their table-topping

eco-conscious waresrsquo

ndash

30eco-travel

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 31: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

31eco-travel

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 32: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

32eco-travel

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 33: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

outstanding is the lack of fuss about a fully integrated sustainable complex in terms of energy saving waste disposal and other innovative ways to reduce impact on the natural environment while supporting human leisure I mentioned maturity and this is illustrated by the fact that they have been using vast arrays of solar panels to generate energy and heat water since 1985 Not many can claim to have been so proactive for so long in what many have come to regard as an obvious need to do our little bit to leave behind something of a planet that can be enjoyed in a healthy way by generations to follow As Alain said when asked about his motivations for being so meticulously eco-conscious on the estate and region in which he grew up ldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy in futurerdquo Inspirational and nicely put

Dinner that evening was full of hilarity and beauty We were booked into the lsquokitsch kitchenrsquo styled Le Drugstore After all the seriousness and layers of stories over the previous three days it was fine to relax in the ambiance of an establishment whose proprietor preferred surfing to opening the restaurant during the week Lovely food and drink and our last chance to observe locals dine and relax to cool music Both coastal and island life are always different

Next morning as we readied ourselves for the drive back up to Nantes to connect to Amsterdam I could not help but wonder about balance and human needs Human fouling and tampering as well as our impact on the other creatures sharing the global ecology Back on the oyster farm I had learned of a plague that has decimated the oyster stock in recent years No definitive cause has been established regarding the emergence of this disease but the effect has been dramatic In order to meet production goals for a mature edible supply the farmers now have to sow some 20000000 oyster lsquobabiesrsquo per year instead of the 6000000 required to produce the same yield in previous years The battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the importance of warnings from nature finding ways to extend our education in its workings while still feeding our undying need for leisure

collecting edible shelled creatures from the seemingly unending low-tide sand and mud flats Last year close to 250000 visitors arrived for this activity Scientifically monitoring the prosperity of the stock is critically important therefore and also part of what the association does in collaboration with the regional institutions of higher marine biology etc We for now were going to see how it was actually done (see photos)

Of the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty one Due to its size great roads cycle paths and trails this was one for us Dutch crew After lunch at the charming and friendly Les Poissons Rouges we collected bikes and went on a 90-minute tour through areas that we would have been unable to access by motor vehicle This also allowed us a chance to breeze past the vast range of public and private sporting facilities along the route as well as to comfortably navigate the cosy town centre of Les Trojans les Bains Ideal sport leisure and sightseeing for the entire family

Next we would head to La Baudissiere to visit an oyster farm with a difference A large area of drsquoOleron can be seen as the French headquarters of the very traditional business of oyster farming and the last thing I expected to find there was a Dutchman (Brabant) leading the operation at an established and professional farm together with his wife (local) and two young daughters The girls have the most fun by showing how much they enjoy the sunshine with an understanding of the hard work involved in bringing these peculiar molluscs to the mouths of those who have acquired the taste Oyster farming has been proven to prosper within a sustainable model but nonetheless has also proven that intensity of farming and the overall condition of the seas close to land these days can threaten their existence

To crown this entire journey we next drove to what must be considered a very mature eco-labelled camping complex La Brande was originally a farm (1933) until the father of the current ownerdirector Alain rid himself of the livestock and converted the property into a campsite just at a time when the popularity of this pastime was growing in Europe (1973) What is

ndash

lsquoUse organic material in the garden soil mix which retains water in greater quantity for much longer periodsrsquo

ndash

33eco-travel

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 34: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

ndash

lsquoOf the islands drsquoOleron can be considered the sporty onersquo

ndash

34eco-travel

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 35: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

35eco-travel

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 36: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

36eco-travel

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 37: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

ndash

lsquoldquoI love it here it is beautiful and I just want to be sure it is here for others to enjoy

in futurerdquorsquo

_

37eco-travel

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 38: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

38eco-travel

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 39: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

39eco-travel

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 40: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

40

eco-travel

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 41: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

_

lsquoThe battle goes on and the tourism industry for one is coming to terms with the

importance of warnings from naturersquo_

41eco-travel

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 42: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

42classifi eds

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 43: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

43

classifieds

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 44: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

ndash

lsquoShare your stories of success ormomentary failure with a

sympathetic earrsquo

ndash

44

travel

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 45: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring journey we all decided to take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road one of worldrsquos most scenic coastal drives and definitely a must-see when in Australia The road is 243 km long and passes through places like Anglesea Lorne Apollo Bay and Port Campbell It offers views of some of the most amazing beaches rock formations (the most memorable of which being The Twelve Apostles ndash wow) and all-round natural beauty you are ever likely to come across Just thinking about everything I saw gives me goose bumps It was one picturesque place after another in great company and as the icing on the cake we saw a koala bear a wallaby and a kakadu The first two were from as close as two metres away thanks to the quick reactions of our dear driver and the courage of the animals to not run away as we approached Words fail me in trying to explain everything I saw and felt itrsquos one of those things you have to experience for yourself to truly understand

I count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on my side In the two months I have been here I have met so many wonderful personalities strangers have become friends and people who I had not seen for years have shown me kindness and shared their stories and lives with me always letting me know that if anything goes wrong theyrsquore just a phone call away Being able to share all these beautiful places and adventures with people I care about is what makes the memories the sweetest of all

Anyone who has ever made the decision to move country knows that it means leaving your comfort zone (family friends job etc) behind and welcoming all the struggles ndash or as I like to call them adventures ndash that await It is important to form a new network of friends and people you trust around you as quickly as possible At the end of a long day there is nothing more comforting than being able to share your stories of success or momentary failure with a sympathetic ear

The past couple of weeks have made me realise more than ever the truth of this I live in Melbourne with the most amazing girl who I last saw three and a half years ago but who welcomed me with open arms into her and her boyfriendrsquos home and told me I could stay as long as I wanted Since then she has played a big part in how much fun Melbourne has been by showing me around town introducing me to the best places to visit and taking me to the Royal Melbourne Show This agricultural show also has amusement rides lsquoSideshow alleyrsquo and lsquoShowbagsrsquo carrier bags full of goodies from different commercial enterprises All of this is very much loved by both adults and kids and it doesnrsquot seem to matter how old you are when visiting a fair ndash having a great time and feeling like a kid again are always guaranteed

We have had a lot of fun together but the highlight was definitely last weekend when in addition to one of my

Australiarsquosnextvirgin

By Eva Haan

45

travel

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 46: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

ndash

lsquoOne of my closest friends from Estonia arriving and joining me on this who-knows-what-tomorrow-will-bring

journeyrsquo

ndash

46

travel

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 47: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

47travel

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 48: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

ndash

lsquoI count myself very lucky in terms of having a strong network of people on

my sidersquo

ndash

48

travel

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 49: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

49

travel

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 50: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

The Bookstore Foundation headed by the charismatic Johanna de Schipper continues to breathe artistic energy into the heart of its community while seamlessly getting the word out about its projects to the wider Amsterdam public The Bookstore and The Novel are glittering examples of how the arts can touch and improve the optional quality of life not only for those already involved in cultural undertakings but pitched at a level that makes it accessible to the immediate community

On 6 October Johanna hosted the truly thought-tingling educational and yet welcoming installation and performance evening MASTER CHEFS OF ART LOVE amp HATEKeep your eyes trained on activities emanating from this address as the foundationrsquos work is sincerely engaging and the reception always uniquely eccentric

THE BOOKSTOREErnest Staesstraat 11061 BZ Amsterdam

AccesibleArt

By Denson Pierre

50art

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 51: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

Ernest Staesstraat 1 1061 BZ Amsterdam

51art

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 52: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

52art

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 53: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

53art

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 54: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

I have a dream

lsquoWouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really freersquo

By Sam van Dam

Wouldnrsquot it be great if the best things in life were really free as it is claimed in that famous song It would indeed but since nothing happens unless we make it happen in the 1960s a group of Amsterdam lsquoProvosrsquo decided that it was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to use Under a plan that sought to implement a scheme of lsquowhitersquo cars houses and yes bikes free unlocked bikes would be found everywhere Sounds like a dream come true for us Amsterdammers who regularly suffer the miserable fate of having our steel horses stolen and the unwanted drama this brings like the cost and annoyance of having to obtain a new bike trained and prepared for the rough traffic in a typical Dutch urban scenario

sunset with the one you temporarily secured for yourself However considering that the Provo plan started with only 50 white bikes which was meant to be followed by a further 20000 that never materialised this magnificent idea was doomed to fail from the very beginning Jammer as the Dutch say

These days there are various working systems implemented in cities around the world none of them based on the idea of simply supplying bikes for free All of them instead require some kind of membership or a monetary deposit Not as romantic as the Provo plan but it works for those who maintain the bikes and the necessary infrastructure and for the users who can rely on a network of readily available vehicles within a reasonable distance and at a fair price Free bikes for all remains a dream for now It seems that we are not yet able to drown out that little voice in our heads that keeps on whispering ldquoTake the bike itrsquos not even locked take it and make it your ownrdquo

This egocentric misbehaviour is most likely inspired by the biblical encouragement to make each and every plant and beast on this pretty planet a subject of our selfish desire to consume mindlessly while willingly plunging ourselves headfirst into a future that will probably hold a much worse fate in store for us than stolen bikes judging by the wicked weather brewing outside my window lately

If anyone could just pick up one of those white bikes on any street corner free of charge why steal one right Unfortunately this approach did not take into account human nature The free bikes were lsquostolenrsquo the moment they hit the narrow streets of Amsterdam or any other city where the system has subsequently been trialled under real-life conditions Since the bikes were free to use they were not really stolen of course but simply taken out of circulation by miscreants who painted them a different colour to disguise where they came from Bizarrely enough those lucky few bikes that were not stolen by common thieves were impounded by the Amsterdam police as according to municipal law it was illegal to leave your bike unlocked outside This is possibly still the case but the idea of leaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notion The Provos countered the policersquos somewhat twisted logic by adding combination locks to the bikes when they re-issued them on the streets but not before painting the combination for each lock on the bikes themselves

Another pitfall with this system is that if you use one of the bikes to get from A to B and then leave it unlocked outside your destination it would most likely be snapped up by the next user forcing you to fall back on your built-in personal transportation equipment feet Unless of course free bikes were widely available reducing the need for anybody to ride off into the

54perspectives

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 55: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

lsquoLeaving a bike no matter how wrecked or ugly unlocked on the street these days is such a foolish notionrsquo

lsquoIt was in the best interests of the general public to make bikes freely available for everyone to usersquo

Amsterdam Provos click here for more infoThe White Plans click here for more infoBike Sharing Systems click here for more info

55perspectives

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 56: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

56classifieds

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 57: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

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

57classifieds

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 58: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

58restaurant review

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 59: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

Shanti 85

Shanti Av Adolphe Buyl 68 1050 Bruxelles (Ixelles)

It takes a great deal of courage to start by naming a restaurant in a busy university district after the little-known Sanskrit word for peace This restaurant which I visited in the company of my wife was highlighted by our hosts Toerisme Belgieuml voor Wallonieuml amp Brussel as one of the cityrsquos finer examples of a vegetarian restaurant that is not deliberately Asian in its theme I thank them for their consideration as Shanti turned out to be more than just a meal but an altogether unexpected and charming experience

The restaurant is located some 20 minutes from the town centre by tram or bus but every metre of the journey feels worthwhile when you climb the stairs to be greeted by as beautiful and elegant a hostess as Chantelle She has been there some five years operating as the link between the hard-working chefs and the dining floor You enter into what I would best describe as a warmly decorated third-floor conservatory and greenhouse This large room opens out on to a petite roof terrace covered in decorative plants It just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the food

By Denson Pierre

As the process of ordering was initiated the background music selection of 20th-century avant-garde piano music added to the ambiance of the warm evening The drinks and food all arrived with elegance and in a timely fashion and were all consumed with such pleasurable flavour-filled ease that it saves me from having to explain what was on the easily modified and changing menu Instead I must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of food that I have come across in my 22 years of strict vegetarianism What a treat Should you find yourself in Brussels and wish to seek out a meat-free fully healthy and balanced meal within a celebratory space then Shanti is for you

At the time we reached our post-meal drink instead of a dessert the skies of Brussels exploded with millions of shiny elements in a large fireworks display Never before have I felt the urge to associate brilliant pyrotechnics with the quality of a restaurant visit but on that September evening we both did Shanti is class and even more in tune with the international vibe of Brussels when you learn that the chefs are Ecuadorian Chantelle is Congolese the working languages are Spanish French and English and everyone is relaxed and always smiling

Go find out for yourself based on my colleaguesrsquo dining-experience ratings I feel no qualms in awarding the experience and food at Shanti a conservative 85

lsquoIt just feels very wholesome and healthy even before you consider the foodrsquo

59restaurant review

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 60: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

lsquoI must simply recommend this restaurant as one that truly offers the finest flavours for this type of foodrsquo

60restaurant review

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 61: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

61

restaurant review

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 62: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

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

62classifieds

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 63: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

63classifieds

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 64: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

64

star beer guide

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 65: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

The SentinelStar beer guide

lsquoDuvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo treersquo

You know you are dealing with the ultimate master brewers when they can concoct a beer of such strength and yet so expansive in subtle tastes exceeding the very best of those within the 4-7 alcohol range Due to the high and traditional standing of the Duvel-Moorgat brewery the original Duvel is a high-yeast variant through which many would have entered the lsquoReal Beerrsquo universe

Duvel is capitalising on its position at the very top of the beer brewersrsquo tree and will now feature a guest hop each year to create

a new dynasty of beers unique within that vintage The 2012 Citra I wish they would just keep producing in perpetuity itrsquos that good

Duvel (Citra 2012) is brewed by Duvel-Moorgat Puurs Belgium

By Denson Pierre

DUVEL (CITRA 2012) (95 ABV)

65star beer guide

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 66: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

66

classifi edsclassifi eds

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 67: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

BRING BACK

At the beginning of the noughties the authorities in their wisdom decreed that amateur and even lsquobar-levelrsquo musicians should be paid fully as professionals leaving proprietors to deal with the tax administration this entails Amsterdam being Amsterdam and Dutch owners being Dutch owners this change in regulation led to the immediate demise of both acoustic and amplifi ed music as a common fun-featured experience throughout the city away from professional podiums which are of course a very diff erent thing and frankly all of which are extortionately priced these days

Where are those upcoming musicians with only a few covers or of a very limited but fun repertoire suited to punters who have had a few drinks meant to learn how to perform publicly Where can the troubadour grab a few glasses of beer and spontaneously wow those present with renditions of surprising quality How can you meet and fl irt with a wannabe musician you know full well will never make it beyond playing their vocal chords and fi ngertips raw for mere beer tokens and alcohol soaked compliments

The entire city has become so boring in the evenings with only the lottery of digital sound systems and the whim of staff in these hospitality establishments thinking themselves to be DJs for entertainment The live music scene in regular bars always made for a super gezellig atmosphere as there was always a connection between the performers the barrsquos takings and those present It added a very special air to the evening entertainment off er across the city Even professionals are known to like free-styling for fun if the opportunity arises but now everyone suff ers because someone somewhere thought there was a lot of money being made by bar musicians and not enough of it was making its way to the tax offi ce

The Sentinel says bring back bar owners and managersrsquo ability to indulge the musically bent in entertaining punters as a pure fun exchange in cafeacutes and bars Surely something so fi scally benign need not be taxed to the point that it disappears completely

By Denson Pierre

LIVE MUSIC IN REGULAR CAFES AND BARS

67amsterdam city life

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 68: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

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

Bourbon Street October 11 2012

Recommended

68

recommended

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 69: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

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

VibesVibes is a relaxing cafecocktail bar art gallery with a large selection of coffees herbal teas homemade cakes and an amazing card of cocktails made with fresh fruit by a professional cocktail bartenderEnjoy our Italian kitchen in a cosy and friendly atmosphere

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 TisfrisCafe Tisfris is recognisable for its landmarks funky pillars and terrace Tisfris offers a friendly service and is a great pit stop for ldquoyummyrdquo refreshments

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 MusicTo Be Seen and Tasted

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

St Antoniebreestraat 142 Amsterdamwwwtisfrisnl

Postjesweg 1 1057 DT Amsterdamwwwedelamsterdamnl

Zoutsteeg 1 1012 LX Amsterdamwwwcafeoportonethome

Amstel 100 1017 AC Amsterdamwwwmulligansnl

2e Kostverlorenkade 70 Amsterdamwwwcafekostverlorennl

Jan Pieter Heijestraat 137 Amsterdamwwwwixcomvibes137vibes

Amstel 2 Amsterdamwwwrestaurant-incantonl

Nicolaas Beetsstraat 47 Amsterdamwwwplanetroseinfo

69recommended

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 70: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

Answer to sentinelpostgmailcom

Where is this inAmsterdam

70spotted

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 71: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

Room 2cfilm

Baseball is probably the most covered sport in the world of film and naturally no-one does it better than the Americans To combine such tension and drama is no easy feat but then to make you cheer for the hero of the day Thatrsquos just showing off This movie features Robert Redford in superstar form coming from nowhere to help a bunch of habitual losers rise up the league to unheard of glories Schmaltz at its best

Los Angeles 1953 The police force is being battered by rumour murder sex and corruption In steps tough guy Russell Crowe as Bud White believing his black and white lsquohands onrsquo approach can lead to crime stopping Kim Basinger plays the irresistible temptress with perfect conviction in easily the best film of 1997 Although nominated for 11 Oscars it won just two as this was also the year of the great ship Titanic and we all know how that ended

By David King

By dpmotions

The natural (1984)

LA confidential (1997)

71room2c

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 72: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

72trends

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 73: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

By Dirkje Bakker-Pierre

As trends come and go some trends are weirder than others some are big and some are small and some even come from England

According to research 25 of women living in England secretly throw away clothes belonging to their male partners that they deem ugly or unfashionable Apparently the focus is on tight swimming trunks skinny jeans and high-waisted trousers Socks and sandals are also high on the list of items to mysteriously go missing

A hefty 72 of the 2300 women surveyed think there is room for improvement when it comes to their better halvesrsquo dress style while 40 of women completely control what their husbands wear by buying all of their clothes for them According to the research the trendsetter for this behaviour is Victoria Beckham who seems to be considered a role model for improving the looks of her own husband (who we all know)

Letrsquos assume that the research is correct and that women in England have a much better sense of style than the men or at least feel they have and decide what their men wear through their own cunning It does make me wonder what these women are wearing themselves (if they have any time left to take care of their own style) Should I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately

ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothes Are there huge bonfi res on city squares made from piles of burning sandals and skinnies Are women dancing around in circles like witches or Indians but stylishly dressed and in very high heels

If you are a man reading this column this is a very serious warning watch your back when it comes to what you wear Safeguard your lycra swimming trunks Jesus sandals and woollen socks Do your own shopping and please donrsquot try to look like David Beckham Because the only men alive on this planet able to get away with that and not appear gay or deluded are David Beckham and Johnny Depp

On the other hand I am curiously looking forward to my next trip to England to see all these super-stylish David Beckham-like men everywhere It sounds like paradise

lsquoShould I be thinking of a whole island full of Victoria Beckham clones desperately ravaging their partnersrsquo closets in search of lsquowrongrsquo clothesrsquo

Style watch (out)

73trends

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 74: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

A time to cleanse

By Evelina Kvartunaite

ndash

lsquoAutumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and

coughingrsquo

ndash

74health amp well-being

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 75: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

juice herbal teas and even good old chicken broth It is important to avoid fizzy drinks caffeine and alcohol as they tend to work against you and are diuretics

Salt

Although this is something that took me a while to get used to it came highly recommended by all the wise women in my family Salt is a very good way to remove viral particles and bacteria from your nose and mouth Use saline nasal sprays or make your own salt water rinses to irrigate However itrsquos important to avoid exposing yourself to other bacteria and infections (as your body is already struggling) so make sure you use distilled sterile or previously boiled water in the irrigation solutions

Wear socks

This may sound silly but it helps to make sure you stay warm and rested as much as possible since your body is using a lot of the energy to fight off the infection

Tea

Tea is a magic potion that you shouldnrsquot ever be shy about drinking especially if you have a cold Itrsquos always a matter of taste however Did you know that research at Harvard University shows that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks transform their immune system T cells to pump out 10 times more interferon to fight cold and flu viruses Personally I swear by ginger lemon and honey tea

The change of seasons not only highlights the beauty of nature and its magnificent colours but also brings a little bit of cosiness which can also make the world seem beautiful Unfortunately however autumn also brings wind cold and rain which can lead to sneezing and coughing Having lived in the Netherlands for a while Irsquove had experience of seeking medical attention and have learned that seeking doesnrsquot always mean finding Mostly it feels like hide-and-seek to be honest Dutch doctorsrsquo standard prescription for any medical complaint seems to be Paracetamol This makes me wonder whether it is merely a lazy response or whether they are sponsored by Paracetamol-producing companies Finding this solution less effective than Irsquod hoped I decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last annoying cold I caught After all they say that colds go away in five days if you take medicine and seven days if you donrsquot

Take plenty of liquids

This is always a good advice and especially if you are not feeling 100 when itrsquos even more important to help ease congestion Along with water liquids can include

ndash

lsquoI decided to look into simpler and more natural remedies to fight the last

annoying cold I caughtrsquo

ndash

75health amp well-being

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 76: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds as well as shorten their duration The research shows that both consuming garlic in cooking and taking appropriate dosages of garlic supplements (in the form of dehydrated garlic powder garlic oil or aged garlic extract) can be effective and safe for adults Because the safety of garlic supplements hasnrsquot been tested on children itrsquos safest to simply incorporate it in your kidsrsquo diets (one to two cloves or more if they like the taste)

Herbs

Many herbs are used to decrease the severity of colds and flu While research has produced mixed results many herbs have been proven to aid healing bull Echinacea (E angustifolia purpurea and pallida) is the best-researched herb for enhancing immune defences to help prevent respiratory tract infections Several well-designed studies support the use of this herb for the treatment of acute viral upper respiratory infections bull Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) seems to be an up-and-coming cold-season herb A 2004 research review of seven double-blind controlled studies concluded that andrographis ldquomay be a safe and efficacious treatment for the relief of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infectionrdquo though the authors called for further research A Russian study in children found that Kan Jang (andrographis leaf extract and eleuthero root ie

which works wonders Mint or sage is also a good choice Green tea is another classic as the leaves contain antioxidants that can help boost immune function A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that subjects taking a special preparation of green tea in capsule form experienced 23 fewer bouts of colds and flu overall and 36 fewer sick days Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses

Honey

Honey as we all know is not just sugar Honey offers incredible antiseptic antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies and is a hot beauty and skin care tip for the ladies It also possesses amazing healing properties and is a head-to-toe remedy for anything from conjunctivitis to athletersquos foot Make sure you donrsquot boil honey or put it in boiling water ldquohellipwhen honey is heated above 42˚ C it transforms into a glue-like substance that is extremely difficult to digest This substance is considered a toxin (ama) since it adheres to the tissues of the body and is very difficult to removerdquo (quote from the Ayurveda Wellness Center)

Garlic

Garlic contains compounds like allicin an oily substance that gives garlic its characteristic odour and antioxidant properties Research published in the Advances In Therapy journal found that taking a

ndash

lsquoTaking a supplement containing garlic allicin could help prevent colds

as well as shorten their durationrsquo

ndash

76health amp well-being

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 77: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

expectorant (expels respiratory mucus)

So you now have seven ideas to help supplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for your immune system to help you have a happy and healthy autumn Did I forget anything If you happen to have any great tips yourself please drop me a line at evelinakvartunaiteconsultancymarketmediacom

Siberian ginseng) was more effective than echinacea extract in reducing the severity and duration of common cold symptomsbull Elderberry A time-honoured European cold and flu remedy is a tea made from elder flowers and peppermint leaves Scientific research however has focused on the berries from the black elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) An extract of these produces beneficial immune actions and helps fight influenza and other respiratory virusesbull Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms Itrsquos an anti-inflammatory demulcent (soothing to sore throats) antispasmodic (to relax tight coughs) and

ndash

lsquoSupplement your crucial daily intake of Paracetamol with something for

your immune systemrsquo

ndash

77health amp well-being

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 78: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoElectric cars I did not think that would happenrdquoLili Lyon France

ldquoComputers It is my access to the worldrdquoDann Amsterdam

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

78technology

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 79: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

YourTechnology

5th Anniversary Technology questionQ ndash What aspect of current technological development matches most closely that

which you wished for as a child

ldquoI have to say the mobile phone As a child I was extremely busy with getting (and later on) play-ing with the walkie-talkie which I saved money for with the little pocket money I was gettingrdquoNelleke Amsterdam

ldquoHigh-speed transport especially trainsrdquoKieran Carlow Republic of Ireland

ldquoComputers It was the beginning the ZX Spectrum wasnrsquot it The Sattars Glasgow Scotland

79technology

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 80: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

80classifi eds

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 81: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

81classifi eds

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 82: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

On The VolleylsquoEveryone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returningrsquo82

sport

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 83: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

Chelsea shirt popping up since they actually won something The reason for this is obvious ndash people want to affiliate themselves with success

Wearing the shirt of a successful football team could be seen as an attempt to improve your self-image through a celebration of anotherrsquos achievements and the broadcasting of your association with that success In other words it creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identity But what about the ugly side of this connection When someone in a Tottenham shirt is seen rioting or Chelsea hooligans racially abuse another teamrsquos supporters what does this broadcast exactly and does it stop us wanting to be part of it

Are we connecting with things for the right reasons Take the Tottenham riots last year There are some who believe they would not have happened without social media Perhaps the key then lies in the ability to market and sell a product well even if that lsquoproductrsquo has negative connotations The game we still call football in that case is not about points on the board any longer itrsquos about money in the bank which helps convince people all over the world that they should be part of a particular club Soon the whole planet will support only three or four teams whose coffers have been flooded by mega-rich owners who spend money like water buying up all the best players On some level we all know itrsquos a big rip-off but we refuse to give it up sanctioning it instead by parting with more and more of our hard-earned cash

Some say that success breeds success but maybe success really breeds contempt ndash otherwise why donrsquot we all just pull on a Man City shirt and be done But we donrsquot do we Why not Because therersquos something about the association we make with our chosen football club that is so much thicker than money spent like water

There was no lsquofree associationrsquo when I started supporting Tottenham It was my birthright and I accepted it However successful or hopeless the club has been Irsquove never stopped supporting the team and even though Irsquove agreed to take this vow of temporary cessation I still feel the connection running through my veins

So why did I agree to cut myself off from a football club Irsquove supported all my life a club that has been enjoying relative success in recent years There was a point last season you may remember when Spurs were on an unbeaten run not experienced at the club in decades Everyone associated including myself felt like the glory days were returning There was perhaps even a faint glimmer of a title hope and when somethingrsquos going that well itrsquos difficult to imagine it coming to an end ndash unless yoursquore a Tottenham supporter

The run did come to an end as they inevitably do after which we managed just four wins from the final 13 games But I didnrsquot throw in the towel even when it seemed as though the team had I was still honoured to be linked with the club with which I grew up So where does this loyalty stem from

When I told people I was going to cut myself off from football for a year some got angry hostile even Therersquos no doubt loyalty is fierce in English football and this is obvious when you look at fanatical fansrsquo reactions at a local derby for instance Not even armchair supporters switch sides halfway through a season just because itrsquos not going their way Once yoursquore part of it you stay part of it in sickness and in health

Belonging to something it seems is a universal feeling not limited to English football supporters Itrsquos shared with just about everyone on the planet especially if the thing to which yoursquore connected is successful These days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connect The ultimate example of this has to be Facebook With more than a billion users nothing connects people like Facebook and people are not only associating themselves with other people but with companies brands organisations and of course football clubs

Facebookrsquos modus operandi of lsquofree associationrsquo is easily recognisable in the way kids nowadays support whichever football team they like at any particular time This manifests itself openly in the Netherlands where it is not uncommon to see kids in Barcelona or Real Madrid shirts Since Man United and Arsenal have had successful Dutch players this has also been reflected in shirt sales here Therersquos even the odd

By Simon JosephThe cut-off point

lsquoThese days with all the social networking sites using the power of the internet it couldnrsquot be easier to connectrsquo

lsquoIt creates a kind of self-glory that is connected with our social identityrsquo

83sport

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 84: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

Get advice on housing rental contracts and apartments in Amsterdam

wwwwswonennlenglish

wwwconsultancymarketmediacom

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

we are looking for

84classifieds

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 85: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

85classifieds

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 86: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

This season marks the sixth anniversary of the inception of the Fantasy Football Gold competition (based on the English Premier League) Throughout these years the very best of Amsterdamrsquos fantasy football managers have passed through our administration It has been spectacular controversial and a great training ground in helping lovers of the beautiful game cast their glance further afield in the pool of available players and not simply focus on the current superstars at the big clubs

As this seasonrsquos game settles into the form typical of each previous year at this level scores are so tight that only a unique hat-trick and Man-of-the-Match award separate top from bottom (see httpthesentineleuffgLatest-FFGhtm) Having mentioned the importance of budgeting in the previous edition of the Gold Room it is only reasonable that I remind everyone that the FFG-CL is largely a game of chance since it is not possible to cover all point-scoring eventualities based solely on journalists and game designersrsquo estimations of player values To illustrate this fact I list below a fantasy team comprised of players scattered among the FFG-CL master managersrsquo squads with a combined cost of just pound235 million This team would be holding its own in either the FFG-CL or the parent game httpthesentineleufflLatest-FFLpdf

By Denson Pierre

The Gold Room

86sport

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 87: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

Jobs at Risk Fc (budget pound40m or 45m)GK Julio Cesar Soares ndash (Queens Park Rangers) pound1m 11 ptsDF Robert Huth ndash (Stoke City) pound2m 24 ptsDF Winston Reid ndash (West Ham United) pound2m 22 ptsDF Liam Ridgewell ndash (West Bromwich Albion) pound2m 23 ptsMIDF Michu ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 55 ptsMIDF Nathan Dyer ndash (Swansea City) pound2m 36 pts MIDF Joe Allen ndash (Liverpool) pound2m 30 ptsMIDF Moussa Dembele ndash (Tottenham Hotspur) pound3m 45 ptsMIDF Tom Cleverley ndash (Manchester United) pound2m 29 ptsSTR Lukas Podolski - (Arsenal) pound35m 40 ptsSTR Mladen Petric ndash (Fulham) pound2m 29 pts

Total spend pound235mTotal points 344

So now you know the game is truly about how best you can track form use substitutions wisely and then just hope for performance There is no fantastic method involved in the gamble that is fantasy football There is though a great deal of slow-burning fun to be had throughout the long journey of each football season

87sport

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds

Page 88: The Sentinel Amsterdam vol. 6 #1

wwwczechtourismcom

CZECH REPUBLIC - STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT

88

classifi eds