Queensday

Today we are trading in Queen Beatrix for King Willem-Alexander. If you see people walking around in orange (where ever in the world) you'll know why.

Happy last Queensday!

PS. If you want to hear the events live in Amsterdam try out this audio feed: http://radioplayer.omroep.nl/radio1-default

Growing Garlic

Someone told me that you can multiply garlic yourself, and that it is terribly easy! This morning I decided to give it a try. We have had this old garlic bulb living in our fridge, it had already sprouted, a perfect bulb to experiment with.

This is the gnarly old bulb I'm talking about. What you have to do (so I'm told) is separate the bulb into parts. Plant the parts and wait. Apparently a single bulb-part will grow into a whole new garlic bulb. Worth a try right?

Tajik Chakarob

Proof that you can bring a little bit of Tajikistan home. This is chakarob (spelled awfully), it is the only traditional meal that does not contain a terrible amount of oil. You eat it with your hands, if it is too liquid, just add a little more bread.

Chakarob

- 1/2 onion in pieces

- bunch of dill (chopped)

- bunch of coriander (chopped)

- chakarob bread (salted, hard, flat bread)

- tomato, cucumber or carrot for garnishing.

Wash the onion in warm water. Pull the bread into little pieces. Put the onion, herbs and bread into a bowl, add boiling water and mash with your hands. Add the garnish on top. 

My version

My Tajik mother's version

Our House

Surprise! We bought a house.. this house!

Keep you posted!

Home again!

Hi! I'm home again!
Four days after I came home to Belgium I'm still struggling with being back. I think I'm experiencing a coming-home-culture-shock, instead of a going-there-culture-shock.

I had an amazing time, a lovely Tajik family (who I love to bits and pieces), the best AIESEC family and amazing new friends!

So, prepare yourself for a lot of Tajikistan posts the coming days!

Measuring Tape Chair - part one

When we were buying this very cute teapot, we happened to see (and buy) this old little chair. We had been looking for one with a removable seat for an Ikea hack we thought up. So after sanding it down (a very manly job) and removing the seat, this is what we ended up with:

Now just wait until you see the end result!!

You can find the end of this saga here.

My Tajiki Mum Making Bread

I'll post the vid as soon as I'm back in Belgium... 

By the way, have I told you I am in love with this country, my Tajiki family and everyone else? Well, I am. As soon as I have some time I'll try to explain that a little further. 

Couchsurfer-weekend

This weekend we had a couchsurfer over. Couchsurfing is a way of traveling where you stay with people you don't know, who offered their couch to other people they have no idea exist. Everyone hopes nobody gets stolen from, and in the end everyone is happier because of the experience.

The guy who came over wanted to see the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders), a famous bike race. We hung out and talked about our experiences in life, and got along great. Definitely something to try again.

You can find out more at http://www.couchsurfing.org and I encourage you to sign up and see what happens!