Andrea Boccelli

Fear not…I didn’t go to see him….although he did come to Cork last Friday. He was performing in Collin’s Barracks, a military domain just behind the corner. Jazus, you should have been there. It was like there was a major bomb alert. The whole area was blocked, no cars were allowed between five and twelve in the evening. Gardai on every corner…a helicopter passing every ten minutes….Fecking madness. For a concert, I mean. And two miles away, at one of the busiest crossroads of Cork, the traffic lights were out of order. On a Friday evening, at rush hour. No gardai there. Probably all too busy making sure that the Italian singer got to Collin’s Barracks safely. Just wondering what makes Andrea so special he needs to disorder the whole town on a Friday night. Does he have something, Nick Cave, Van Morrison, Diana Ross or Brian Wilson don’t have, when they performed at The Marquee (just a tent on the banks of the Lee, no domain surrounded by concrete walls and barbed wire).

Saskia

Ps: I played the lotto for the first time in my live. Euromillionairs…I was 200% positive it was me going to win the 81 million euro….sigh…not.

The Marquee

Cork 2005…..and The Marquee….will remember it for a while. Went to see two big Irish legends there. Van the Man last Thursday and Christy Moore yesterday evening.

Both concerts were unique in their own way. Got a ticket for the Van Morrison concert as a present from my dad. Bought the Christy ticket myself.

I arrived at The Marquee just on time that Thursday night and was full of expectations. But also a bit worried. ‘Cause I had heard stories about Van Morrison being in a bad mood and leaving early, or playing with his back to the audience….didn’t want to have that of course. But there was definitely no need to worry. He played for more than an hour and a half. Most songs were from his latest album, but he played some classics as well of course. It were his musicians who opened the gig and halfway during the second song, Van the Man appeared on the stage. He got a standing ovation right away. The audience was quite noisy, clapping the whole time, shouting, standing up to get another pint or having a smoke….so different from a Belgian audience, just politely sitting in their chairs, only applauding àfter the songs. There were some flashes from cameras as well. But it didn’t seem to upset Van at all. He even came back for a short encore. People went mad. Jumping, dancing, shouting. It was a great experience, sitting amongst 6000 other Van Morrison fans. It was also a strange experience, Van Morrison dissapearing from time to time, the roadie running on the stage every five minutes to whisper something to one of the musicians. They definitely have to be the best improvisers ever and are probably working for the most difficult boss on earth. But they definitely know how to cope with that. Thanks again dad, for giving me the opportunity to see Van the Man live at last.

Yesterday night another legend so. Went together with the French housemate. I wasn’t very impressed by supporting act Freddie White.The Marquee was quite noisy as well. Think we were all just waiting for Christy to appear. And he did, together with Declan Sinnot (who by the way looked so much older than on the Planxty DVD from last year). It was amazing. Christy is a legend in Ireland, that’s for sure. The audience just sang along with àll the songs. After every song a loud applaud. But the thing that struck me most were the quite songs. You literally could hear a pin drop (something even Van Morrison didn’t succeed in). I think it is his charisma, that made Christy the legend he is today. People just adore him. He did play some of my favourite songs, including The City of Chicago (with thanks to Luka Bloom), the Biko Drum, Joxer, Missing you, Lisdoonvarna, Black is the colour, Yellow triangle and Ordinary Man. Will remember this concert for a while. Definitely.


Saskia (seriously suffering from hay fever)

A restless night

Had a restless night. Went to bed around eleven, but couldn’t sleep. Turning about in my bed, pondering…Even “Before Sleep Comes” couldn’t bring relief. There is a reason for that. Have a VIV (very important visitor) coming in two weeks. It’s making me a bit nervous, because she is only staying for six days and has never been in Ireland before. The expectations are obviously very high and I definitely want to show her what Ireland is about. But is a difficult task: only six days, a low budget and no car. The experience has to include Dublin, nature, the Ocean, Guinness and some craic of course. Sounds easy, but is definitely not. I don’t know if there are many Irish people out there reading my Web log, but tips are very welcome.

I already took a look in a housemates’ travel guide (Europe on a shoestring). It’s a typical ‘Europe in a nutshell’ guide….and not very useful so, as I definitely want to avoid mass tourism.

Was actually reading what they told about my own little country.

“Belgium is a bizarre little place. Called ‘Europe’s most eccentric country’ in one breath and ‘boring’ in the next; this is the place to come if you want something a bit offbeat”

“These days it [Belgium] is a bit like a teenager – world weary, unruly and avant-garde all rolled into one”

“The trial of suspected [sentenced by now actually!!!!!!!!!] murder and paedophile Marc Dutroux brought Belgium into the international spotlight” [still can’t believe that’s actually in a travel guide, jazus. It IS SAFE to bring your kids out here on a holiday people]

“And in world tennis, Belgium shines”

About people and culture, they say:

“ ‘National’ character is elusive – many Belgians think of themselves first as Flemish or Walloon, and then as Belgian” [have you ever tried explaining the whole federal system of Belgium to a foreigner? Desperate.....even my colleagues still don't know the difference between Flemish and Dutch (they still don't get it, it is the same language), why people speak French in Brussels....desperate].

Food:

“Belgians love food. They are reputed to dine out, on average, more than any other people in the world.”

“Meat and seafood are abundantly consumed, as are frieten/frites –chips or fries. Belgians swear they invented chips and, judging by the availability, it’s a claim few would contest” [so forget about French fries, that was just another act of misplaced French chauvinism]

“And then there’s chocolate. Belgians have been quietly making some of the world’s finest chocolate for well over a century. Filled chocolates, or pralines, are their forte.”

“On the drinking scene, beer rules. No other country in the world boasts a brewing tradition as rich and diverse as Belgium. Somewhere between 400 and 800 beers exist”

On my hometown Antwerp:

“ A city with attitude [where do they get that from???????] luring fashionistas, foodies and party queens alike, Antwerp is an essential stop (that’s exactly what I tell everyone I meet abroad). Worldly and seedy, historic and hip, Belgium’s second-biggest [that’s like Cork, isn’t it?] city is currently basking in a third Golden Age that has made it one of Europe’s most fashionable getaways.

And then something I was I didn’t expect to read in a tourist guide either:

“On a different note, it’s also the breeding ground for extreme right party Vlaams Blok; which campaigns against immigrants.” [Not very good advertising for a city, isn’t it? Dear reader, I really want you to know that the major of the sinjoors (that’s how real Antwerp inhabitants are called) are AGAINST Vlaams Blok (actually renamed as Vlaams Belang after they were found guilty of racism: new name, but business as usual, unfortunately)].



And something about Gent, where I lived two years:

“Compact and unpretentious, this lively university city has all the things that make Flemish towns great –historic architecture, fab restaurants and sublime chocolate shops – minus the crowds of Bruges and the attitude [there it is again…..] of Antwerp.”

But nothing usefull about Ireland…..sigh…..Euhm, mum....don't worry, I definitely sort it out....I just want the best of the best for you!!!!!!!Looking forward having you six days for myself......

Saskia