Vicky's visit

I received a wonderful visit from my sister Vicky a few weeks ago. Here is a video of the AZ feest that took place while she was here. We're in the crowd standing on top of the five story parking garage, chanting "kampioen, kampioen!" It really was wild, ha!

AZ is a football team in Alkmaar, and they won the national championship this year. As you know, football is huge in Europe, it's all sports fans talk about. I also put some photos up on Picasa of Vicky's visit that I received from her and our BVS Director in Europe, who was also here for the first two days. An acquaintance of mine, Aggie, actually lives in the windmill, and there are probably 10 such mills within walking distance from my place.

Thursday before last was "Hemelvaartsdag," Ascension Day, and a holiday in the Netherlands. Each year on this day they have a running event in Alkmaar called the Vestloop that starts at Grote Sint Laurenskerk (the big church) and winds through the "binnenstad" (center of town). I participated last year and again this year in the 5K race. Improved my time by 7 seconds, so at least I'm not getting any slower, ha!

Received a postcard from a friend I met in Rochester, NY three years ago that was visiting St. Andrews, Scotland and on his way to Istanbul. Hope to hear what he thought about Turkey, as many of the foods I buy come from there and the nuts and dried fruits are the best I've ever tasted. Iran, too; the quality of Iranian dates is superior to any dates I've eaten.