Sao Lao

I was out shopping yesterday, trying to find a good deal on after Christmas sale. I didn’t buy anything except for food and added on more calories with an apple pie at Bijenkorf department store. It was crowded in the city center with people looking for a good bargain. At least there was a sort of carnival set up all over town to cater to young children. I did run into a sign that made me think of Nye and took a few pics for her. NYE stands for New Year’s Eve but to me it was like Nye talking to me in hidden language.

The sun came out on last Saturday and the trees were dropping the snow on the ground. I thought it was a good day to do some grocery shopping in China town, stocking up on some chili peppers and shrimp paste, as well as other essentials. I ran out of shrimp paste more than two weeks ago but didn’t have the need for it yet since I couldn’t eat any tum for awhile. It was a bit cold so I bundled up like an Eskimo and went shopping with Johan.

He had to do some Christmas shopping for his family and I was looking for a good bargain on winter coat and maybe an outfit or two. We went to my favorite department store, the Bijenkorf and shop and shop and took a break for some coffee and cake. I had green tea and coconut cake for a late afternoon snack. After getting more energy I went through racks and racks of clothes and found a white blouse and a pants set with matching blazer at 50% off. I decided to be good to myself and bought them.

Read the rest of this entry »

Last Saturday I had an appointment with a Travel Doctor for my second shot of Hepatitis A vaccine at Beursplein Shopping Center. The first shot I took was on 12/07/2006 and lasted only one year. Since I will be going to Laos again in the near future it was recommended that I go back for a follow up. It was a year and a day later for the anniversary shot but it was quick and painless for 60 Euros. Not bad since I won’t have to get vaccinated again for this type of vaccine until 25 years from now.

Afterward, Johan took me for my favorite illy coffee and some windows shopping at Bijenkorf Mall. I saw one denim skirt that I like but didn’t buy it since I didn’t really need one at the moment and would rather send my Grand-Mama the money that I could have paid for the skirt. There wasn’t really anything that grab my attention in the entire store except for one black dress (above on the left). When I saw it I was like nice I could wear it. But after I saw the price for 549 Euros I had to walk away. I could feed my Grand-Mama for a few months in Laos for that dress.

Read the rest of this entry »

My date surprised me with one dozen roses on Friday night when he picked me up for dinner at my favorite Chinese restaurant. He also gave me a card but I am not going to tell you what was written on it. I don’t kiss and tell you know.

What does red rose mean? Hmm….

Sample pics of the Dim Sum Menu

A walk after dinner. Bad idea to take pictures after a full meal.

A more natural happy me.

I like to take a walk after a good meal. That way I can feel less guilty about eating so much and hope I can shed a few calories. It’s very nice to walk around Beurs Shopping Center on a Sunday night because there is no one around. You can just look around and feel the night air.

Me doing the best tourist pose

De Bijenkorf Department Store

Behind is the ABN - AMRO Bank

Beurs World Trade Center

Read the rest of this entry »

It was about two years ago when I tried Dim Sum. Now I can say I enjoy going to a Chinese restaurant and order a dim sum menu. After all those years of tasting different type of Chinese dishes, I can say I prefer various dim sum treats, especially the sea food ones.

The menu starts with this:

Follows with this delicious sea food treats:

Then continues with springrolls and something else:

More of sea food treats:

If you’re not full yet, then this fried noodles will help you to the finish line:

Still hungry? How about these?

I think I’m full now but how can I say no to delicious ice-cream?

I like to window shop because it’s a good way to check out the latest trends in fashion and at the same time get a good exercise while having fun. My favorite place to shop is around Beursplein where Beurs World Trade Center is located. There are so many shops to even count at Beursplein and a few streets near by. I hardly buy clothes here because the smallest size for the average Dutch woman is too long and a bit big for me. If you ever come to the Netherlands, make sure you stop by the modern city of Rotterdam and do some real shopping and sight seeing.

Here I am standing at the top level of the parkinglot by V&D shop looking down at the shopping area. The Beurs World Trade Center is to the right (not as big as you would have expected).

A view of Beursplein shopping center

Ready to shop?

I think this is the best day care center in the city. If I work in this area I would want my children to spend the day here so I can come by and have lunch with them everyday.

Oh yeah, I got my best walking shoes on and ready to hit the shops without spending a penny. Behind me is the front view of Beurs World Trade Center. I told you it’s a small building, not like what you’re used to in the great big USA land.