Ton van Zutphen on Syria and Greece: Stray Cats and Fat Cats

Ton van Zutphen about a non-sense comparison between SYRIA and GREECE…both countries going down the drain……STRAY CATS and FAT CATS

Here is some information…not all of it accurate in numbers but close and at least plausible. Followed by a few provocative and certainly debatable statements and conclusions. Get the picture? Is my note out of whack? Crazy stuff…..?  Please no hate-mail to me!

 What about Stray Cat  - SYRIA….

·       5 years of continuous war / over 275.000 Syrians killed

·       Everybody fighting the Assad regime and many armed opposition groups fight each other; most large cities turning into rubble; unique historical monuments destroyed

·       21 million people affected…the WHOLE country; everybody in it

·       5 million people chose to become a refugee and left the country

·       Implosion on all fronts: infrastructure, socio economic situation, productivity and services

·       Education of >80% of children and students has come to a standstill

·       Life expectation of the average Syrian has dropped by 20 years over the past 5 years

·       NO peace initiative whatsoever going on or being prepared

·       For 2015 the UN requests 4.5 billion USD in aid ….only 40% may materialise  by December

·       AND I could go on and on……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What about Fat Cat  - Greece….

·       Since it joined the EU in 1981 Greece built up a  track record of non-transparency on subsidies, and finance assistance

·       A regime of non-compliance on fiscal revenues and informal market economy; most farmers never paid any income tax

·       Generous pensioning off  employees at 60 years young

·       VAT levels have remained low and are non-existent on the tourist islands

·       Rumour says that the largest internal tax revenue for the government comes from the betting industry  

·       11 million people in Greece…and it contributes to perhaps 2% of the total gross productivity in the EU…it really is a micky mouse economy: small and irrelevant in the EU

·       For >5 years on a support infuse by the EU patrons in Brussels/Strasbourg

·       The man in the street lost track of how many hundreds of billion euros went to Greece

·       Debts are mostly rescheduled and in part ‘forgiven’; outstanding reimbursements are likely not to be paid back; Greece asks today for a new subsidy of over 70 billion euros

·       AND I could go on and on…

 

 

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Readers…..what does this tell us…first of all that I am biased because I am head over heels involved professionally in the Syria Crisis.

But when we all take a step back, think, even reflect deeply…. some of us are possibly realising that something is going astray here!

In terms of severity, size, numbers of people affected, future potential, violence, governance…etc…there is no comparison between the countries….but where is the priority for the world to turn to?

Is the Cause of Greece still correct after so many years of reduced subsidies coupled with continuing loans…that fair enough, caused moderate hardship for approx. 25%, perhaps now 35% of the population? Whatsoever this is nothing to compare with what the Syrians are going through!

Does apply what Abraham Lincoln rightly said ‘To Support a Cause that is Morally Wrong can Never be Politically Correct’?

Now do get me right…Greece needs some support; has in fact already and ALWAYS received it…but this dilly-dallying with the EU/IMF/ECB has to stop. Very few EU taxpayers and the average citizen without a face, nor voice, can agree with yet another injection of possible 70 billion euros….whereas in 2015 only a few billion euros will find their way to the needed inside Syria and the countries like Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt and Iraq (these host over 4.5 million Syrian refugees).

Grosso modo, two systems are failing…the UN with the world’s aid machinery and the EU with other financial institutions that keep propping up countries for partly political and institutional reasons.

Gaziantep, Anatolia, Turkey with kind regards from Ton / 11^th July 2015

Ton van Zutphen in Tarsus, Turkey / for St. Paul and run the Half-Marathon / 29th March 2015

Finally an opportunity came along to combine two hobbies: visiting a prime historic site and running a half marathon. Tarsus...birth place of Saul, around the time Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Saul was born a Jew, and Roman citizen.  He became Paul after his conversion as a follower of Jesus, and was a member of a wealthy family of weavers and traders. Orthodox Jewish background with studies that took him to Jerusalem where first he became prosecutor of the early Christians (he witnessed the stoning to death of the first Christian martyr Stephens). This prosecution work brought him to Damascus where God appeared to him and struck him blind. Three days later he was healed by Ananias, and became himself one of the disciples. He never met Jesus but is still considered the 13th apostle. In 1973 I visited what is said to be Ananias' house and the section of the wall around Damascus where  Paul escaped from, after the Jewish elite turned against him.  Paulos, Paulus, Paul,  is without doubt one the biggest change persons in history. He crafted the early documents on Christianity in a very profound and persuasive manner, and preached that salvation is based on faith, which is very similar to what Mother Theresa promoted. He travelled all over the Mediterranean, some even say to Spain. He died a horrible death under Emperor Nero probably in the year 65 when Nero decided that the fire which destroyed a significant part of Rome in the summer of 64 was instigated by the Christians. Possibly his burial place just outside the Porta Ostia in Rome was found in 2009: a sarcophagus,  carbon  backdated to the 1st century, is  inscribed in Latin as  ' Paul Apostle Martyr'.
In Tarsus, many spots relate to him being born there. The old town is full of historical artefacts and  relics...many more remain to be excavated...this Tarsus town having been dwelled in by people for over 5.000 years...so all civilisations have left their traces. Paul grew up here...could have drunk from the St. Paul's Well ; he walked the streets I ran through....

In Tarsus also Marc Antonius and Cleopatra met and started their courtship. The town was the largest economic centre for centuries during the Greek hegemony in Asia Minor. The old city, in a dilapidated state, plastered with cobble stones reminds me of Christian and Armenian neighbourhoods with large houses and very different from the rest of what is now a normal and fast expanding Turkish city of over 300.000 people.
My colleague David Wehinger, Ops. Director in our Syria Crisis Response Welthungerhilfe team, his girlfriend Sabine, and I stayed in the Konak Efsus hotel where the staff was hospitable but not really competent. A 'boutique hotel' in a large building dating back probably to the times of Kemal Ataturk's younger days (1900....?). Food in Tarsus definitely cannot compete with the fine cuisine of Anatolia and to what I am used to in Gaziantep. Although the pistachio ice cream cone after the run was particularly pleasing the tongue!

And the half marathon... after the drive through the rain of 300 kms. the day before, the skies on Sunday were blue...weather at the start at 9am clear and the temp. about 15 degrees. The organisation was perfect and I still cannot believe that the 50 Turkish Lira registration fee (20 USD) paid for a good quality running T-shirt, the pasta party, a serious bronze medal, a temporary chip, a backpack, and all electronic measuring of the 800 plus runners.  Well done and 'teshekuleer' (thank you). From the hotel to the start a simple walking distance. The race itself was a slow one....many curves in the old city with cobble stones / very picturesque though / a long stretch that started close to the Justinian bridge dating back to the 6th Byzantine century and which was still in use until 10 years ago... a very long stretch up and down of at least 10 kms. My young colleague David was at least 15 minutes ahead of me when the race was half done. I enjoyed myself immensely, not having trained much...as this was my first race in Turkey...and the only Dutch runner / haha. A Kenyan won in just over 1 hour and 2 minutes; David clocked up 1 hour 48 min. 51 secs. and I finished in 2 hours 29 min. 20 secs. Very clearly I finished with the pack of grey wolves way in the back but was extremely satisfied  and determined to race again next year if I am still in Turkey.

David Wehinger / Antonius van Zutphen, Tarsus HMarathon 2015

Then a drive home again...slowly through the Taurus mountains toward Anatolia with heavy rain and fog. Satisfied!  Turkey is a good country for me.

Recommended reading for those who like history: partly non-fiction epic novel from Prof. Paul MAIER: the Flames of Rome 1981.

Walk of the World/Nijmegen2014-Miami Marathon2015 in between work on the Syria crisis / Ton van Zutphen

Long time no blog...The Syria crisis response is keeping me very busy for 'Welthungerhilfe', the most influential German INGO (I usually say in presentations). Below you find two interesting visuals one from an unknown photographer who shot this extra ordinary pic. of 2 Syrian refugee boys in a camp probably in Suruc (Turkey border to Kobane); and a pic. of the ArchBishop of the Jezhidi community, name of Bab Al-Gavish, in Shekane in Northern Iraq. We are doing quite some work with the Jezhidi community now.
Back to walking...the 'Vierdaagse van Nijmegen', one of the acknowledged traditions in the Netherlands...the organisation has filed to be recognised as a 'World Heritage Event' with UNESCO...haha, these Dutchies...always think they have something more exceptional than dykes, polders, tulips, windmills and tolerance for marihuana selling coffee shops!
Well this time let me be short:
Comments...this walk of the world is getting close to be walked for the 100st time (it was cancelled during the WorldWar 2..I guess the Germans did not appreciate it really). I believe in 2016 will be the 100 year jubilee and I intend to be there; it is indeed a happening as the whole town of Nijmegen breathes this event for a full week. Huge festivities with renowned actors, music and noise galore; with more drunken students than there are cobblestones in the old city! All is allowed and in the morning when I walk to the start of the walk at 04.00 hrs., one wades in some streets through the plastic bottles, beer holders and other debris of the party goers...who evidently do not walk themselves.  I am used to it now and I do wish to continue this walking tradition myself. Although there is full abstinence for adult beverages for me until the end of the 4th day. I now walk every day 40 kms...2 days very fast / racewalk / and 2 days at a leisure pace.
Compliments: every year things work out well; the organisation knows what to do and steers about 30.000 walkers through the urban and rural areas of 'het Rijk van Nijmegen'. The start is a bit old fashioned but it works: you have a card and get it stamped...haha. Walkers are a happy crowd, with a lot of people from other countries; it is fun to be with those who have a positive mind. 'Wandern macht frei'!
Complaints:  the routes never change and urban growth gobbles up God's nature. My first walk was in 1972 and I can see the difference....too much nowadays walking through the suburbs. Then there is no way to suggest how to do things differently: the management of the event simply has never heard of a feedback mechanism. The waiting for 30-40 minutes every morning before the start could be diminished significantly if an electronic system was introduced. If one returns before 11 am...then one has to wait to be checked out. When I racewalk I arrive around 10 am...just to hang around for nothing is really not acceptable these days anymore. And the medal on its hanger with a poorly designed clip is too 'cheapy' an affair. Nearly lost it in the town. By a  miracle I got it back..I started looking for it in the street and suddenly a couple came up to me and asked me if I had lost something. They had found my medal and believed indeed it was mine!! My friend Gerard took this pic on the dyke close to Nijmegen...one sees the river 'Waal' and the railway bridge. There is another road bridge some 2 kms. further...and that is the one that on day 1 needs to be crossed before the finish....the dyke is a long one...about 6 kms. and when it is warm, very warm it is a 'killer' for the untrained.

 

Over to my 4th Miami marathon....this one did really hurt as I had not trained a meter...I have decided not to risk such exhaustion anymore next year if I do not train at least 125 kms before.  The first 24 kms went actually very well...just trotting along. My daughter Kesso overtook me after  17 kms...as usual, but then she does the half-marathon. Then I basically lost my pace slowly but steadily, had a pee at km. 26 and then simply could not jog anymore...back to racewalking but even that was slow. I had to stop for 5 minutes in Coconut Grove and another minute close at Monthy's restaurant also in the Grove, overlooking the harbour...nearly gave up...my stomach was not 100% either...but I had not come all the way to Florida to throw in the towel. Rickenbacker Causeway....ouff...I just walked over it / across it...and then finally I walked up and alongside a lady who was even more messed up than me...she smiled and said 'I am half dead but I'll finish it'...so that worked for me. At the finish Kesso was waiting and I actually was able to pull off a little sprint and racewalk duckwalk during the last 200 meters.....time...?  5 hours 57 minutes 31 seconds / my worst marathon on record. The marathon speaker when I went through the finish shouted ....'Mire come corre ese Senor'!!  Ole!!

 

 

 

Pictures above with Nicole and  Kesso at the end of it all.

Thanks to those who have supported me....Antonet Adolfs, Gerard Verstappen, Henk,Ellie,Kesso, Sylvie, Nathalie, Valerie (all van Zutphen family), Mrs. Guus Vollebergh-van Leent, Jan Konings, Jos Schenaerts, Henk...the wheelchair racer..see you later this year  in July in Nijmegen  again!, Nicole Peter, Sandra Calderon, Eric Williams, Johanne Mosscrop, Gerard van der Meeren, Batshe Chibafa, and my special friend H.B.

 

And here are the visuals about my work ....

 

Ton van Zutphen, a Bangui Boy in the Central African Republic (early 2014)

First time I travelled to Bangui was in 1991 for an assessment on behalf of Cebemo/now Cordaid/NL. Then again for an assessment Feb. this year for WHH and the third time for a full two months work in April/May. Here are a few notes from one of the Bangui Boys...

Impressions, feelings, facts, ..pointers...and thanks

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is where I went for Sunday mass, often with my friend Paul S.  A common red brick building, and typical for French tropical colonies, it stands out along the 'Avenue des Martyrs'. In these dark days masses are well attended and the priests continuously preach for more dialogue between Christians and Muslims, and tell people to forgive. It is a large church with good aeration... I mostly sat where the big side doors let in gusts of refreshing and cool air. I am always apprehensive of what has become a devastating act in parts of Africa: terrorists (like Boko Harem that is now operational in CAR as well)) throwing grenades into churches. And this is just what happened a few weeks in the Fatima church in Bangui...killing 30 church attendees.  Lots of rituals and endless singing in this Cathedral. The choir even performed Halleluja by Handel during Easter. Mass provided peace and reflection for a few hours; every week. To be recommended!  

Governance / heads of state / Bokassa / Samba-Panza
The Father of this country who everybody adores and remembers well was Barthelemy Boganda, a catholic priest turned politician. Bangui is full of sites honoring him  (street names, the national stadion, statutes, parks, schools, beauty salons,  books about him at the book stalls etc.). He was destined to become the first President of the country after serving as the Prime Minister of the declared autonomous CAR...but then died in a mysterious plane crash flying into Bangui. Later..traces of explosives were found in the wreckage. The French government is likely to know more..but may not have been involved as Boganda had all the support from De Gaulle. Then came independence in 1960 and here is the list of Heads of State:
David Dacko                                                   1960-1966
Jean Bedel Bokassa                                         1966-1979 (crowned himself as Emperor)
David Dacko                                                    1979-1981
Andre Kolingba                                               1981-1993
Ange-Felix Patasse                                          1993-2003
Francis Bozize                                                 2003-2013
Michael Djotodia                                             2013-2014
Alexandre Ferdinand Nguendet                      10 - 23 Jan 14 (acting Head of State of Transition)
Catherine Samba-Panza                                   as of 23 Jan 14 ( Head of State of Transition)

Bokassa was the infamous one; well known in France because of his gift of diamonds to Giscard d'Estaing (who the latter illegally accepted). No doubt this  contributed  to Giscard not being re-elected for a 2nd term as French President in 1981. Bokassa  crowned himself Emperor (Napoleon style) and spent 20 million USD, which was one third of the CAR's annual budget on the festivities. The party consumed 60,000 bottles of Champagne and Bourgogne and two of the six white horses (imported from France) drawing Bokassa's carriage died from the heat on the spot. A grotesque event. Nevertheless the older man in the Bangui street now confirms that it was Bokassa who built many of the roads and was able to assure regular payment for the civil servants (facts people do not forget).

Previous Heads of State Bozize and Djotodia are strongly involved in current politics, and are respectively Anti-Balaka (A-B)and Seleka (SLK) sponsors...both are incriminated by the ICCourt in The Hague but living resp. in Uganda and Benin..or moving about.
I had the opportunity to meet the current President Ms. Samba-Panza, exchange a few words with her...and was close to see her speak. In a situation where any political decision is a balancing act...she is hanging in there. She is encouraged to take more decisions...but I know very well there is no instrument (state or otherwise) to operate or implement these. In fact the country is (badly) run by the international peace keepers and the aid industry.  Insecurity reigns over most of the CAR's territory where A-B and SLK fighters and thugs confront each other.

MISCA, Sangaris, EUFOR, and now the large UN Peacekeeping Force (MINUSCA) to enter the country as of September. There is no alternative to an international peacekeeping force but the way this is managed is fraught with serious challenges...the International Mission to establish Security/Safety in CAR (MISCA) consists at present of about 5200 elements under the auspices of the African Union (and I believe the rich countries provide much funding for this). It is in fact against AU regulations that bordering countries participate in such missions...whereas in the CAR case...all bordering countries except the Sudan's have contributed to this force. For a country the size of France + Belgium 5000 + soldiers is not enough. Here is another guesstimate: 5200 minus 300 (on rest/recuperation/short leave) minus 100 (sick leave) minus 1000 doing paperwork, minus 500 protecting banks, private companies, ministries etc. leaves how many for real protective action for the CAR civilians..? Right.. perhaps just over 3000 soldiers are actively involved in terrain related work. Insignificant. 

Part of my job to establish the office and programme for 'double wee ache ache' WHH / Welthungerhilfe / ONG Allemand was to attend meetings. One of these I will never forget as it involved a government minister and the representative of a large UN agency. In fact the meeting started with a review of progress of an African Development Bank sponsored project in which 3 large UN agencies participated. All the Directors of these agencies were seated in the boardroom of the Ministry...it was all about a small project of less than 1 million USD. Although not all the paperwork had been finalized one of the Directors refused to commit and reverted to his hierarchy in the UN system. All the others mentioned they remained interested and were able to provide a solution...this went on and off with the Minister really being patient, diplomatic and understanding....In the end we all felt that this one UN agency hid behind bureaucratic arguments...and then the Minister exploded: 'you, and then told him by his name and continued: 'vous m'embettez'...if you do not want to support this country I will make sure you will leave'. WOW, this was unreal. None of the other Directors blinked an eye..and after the meeting everyone disappeared immediately. I was shocked...if this would happen to me I would consider my mission to have become a disaster.

The work in Bangui was relatively straightforward and I enjoyed having my three good colleagues alongside me:  Ruediger, Florian and Stefan. We had a curfew as of 19 hours during the week and 20 hours in the weekend..so little more to do than work, rest, read and sleep. I finally read much in my book: Der grosse Krieg (14-18) by Prof. Herfried Muenkler (to be recommended)  Welthungerhilfe is there to stay for many years and I hope to return once again...who knows.

WHH Bangui office team from left to right: Simplice, Antonius, Oscar, Catherine, Gisele, Ingrid, Ruediger, Gaston, Jonathan / seated are Christophe and Vivianne.

Besides work  I managed to do a few small things like
1. building a chicken coop with a rooster that crows every morning exactly at 04.45 hours to let me know it was time to start a new day
2. creating a small mobile resto called 'Chez Tabitha' for our national staff  just across the road. On the menu specialties like viande boucannee and poisson fume with gonzo (manioc)
3. Planted 10 banana trees and 3 avocado pear trees (according to African custom, the person who plants a fruit tree always has first decision rights on the harvest!)
4. Many evenings after work we sat and drink beer in the Cave de la Cite, the local hole in the wall beer buvette just opposite our office at 'Relais Sica'.  Choices include brands like Castel, Muetzig, Mocaf, Beaufort, Isenberg, Primus, Guinness, 33 Export; depending on arrivage!
5. And make friends with David (FdM) and Etienne (FAO)

A great 2 months....no regrets and the Central African Republic  and its people were all good to me. In particular our national staff were so courageous to work long hours and do all sorts of tasks for the first time in their lives! Impressive.

tonvanzutphen@gmail.com



http://www.welthungerhilfe.de/informieren/projekte/projekt/zentralafrikanische-republik.html#!/b2004/  / interview with Ton

Ton van Zutphen : a short 2 days walk through the Ahr-valley in Germany / 29-30 May 2014

Living and working in Bonn, and having just returned from a mission to Bangui, Centralafrican Republic, I imagined that during this European spring a short walk through a famous area would be the right thing to do. So why not the Ahr-Talweg with the Rotweinwanderweg, and following the meandering Ahr river and enjoy one of Germany's largest winegrowing areas in an early bloom.

Getting there from the railway station in Bonn Bad Godesberg is easy..every hour..all the way up to the endstation Ahrbrueck. So I arrived there 28th May evening 21 hrs....and no hotel nor Fremdenzimmer in sight. A walk to the Ahrbogen Hotel 1,5 kms down the road found it also closed.  After some persistent ringing the bell, the elderly owner opened the door...she let me in, showed me the room and asked me whether I wanted some water. She returned with a large bottle of Toennis Sprudelwasser..and then asked again 'perhaps the gentleman wanted a beer'? and served me a wonderful large glass of Bitburg beer before I turned in. Germany being Germany...the beer 0,5 liter came to 3,6 euro whereas the water 0,7 liter came to 4.9 euro. Simple calculation states that beer is cheaper than bottled water!
After a good breakfast I started my 62 kms plus route via Puetzfeld, Kreuzbach to BadAltenahr...by far the nicest looking village of the walk. Traditionally built houses; all neatly painted...but lots of small hotels closed down and a few up for sale. I guess that the younger people do not appreciate walking this famous route anymore. Obviously there remain the numerous campsites where the Dutch with their caravans (sleurhutten in Brabant slang) dominate in number. The scenery remains pretty all the way. Climbs are short and easy; a few fellow walkers on and off; a shining sun and a spot of  clouds: perfect Wanderwetter.
This part of Germany was 'administered' by the French between the two world wars and also for some 10 years after world war two.  Many of the vineyards carry French names as their owners; like Jean and Alphonse...interesting also that choppers fly over to dispel pesticides..I never saw this in France.
Perhaps that is why previously the German red wines used to give me a headache?

The scenery as of Altenahr..after a steep climb is so beautiful....with all the terraces and huge vineyards with plenty of stops to taste the red wines like Spaetburgunder and Portugieser, and the usual white wines like Riesling and Mueller-Thuergau). I can vividly imagine that a hundred years ago this must have been a touristic hit: walking for a few days through a forest of vineyards while sipping wine along the trails. I had started around 08.30 hrs in the morning and made a first stop after some 20 kms to taste 'ein gedeckter Apfelkuchen mit Sahne' (freshly baked apple tart with whipped cream)...close to the village of Rech. Then just continued while meeting fewer and fewer walkers until BadNeuenahr where I arrived at 16.45 hours...time for a short shower and nap. Interestingly at the Union hotel there was no soap..and when I asked for some the receptionist said 'Oh yes no soap...really...? Didn't you bring some yourself...? I am sorry but we do not have soap right now' ! Man, I got a Russian or East German flashback right there. Anyway the bill came to 42 euros for a large and beautiful room with an outstanding breakfast.  Next morning I had a 10  minutes haircut..fed up with my long hair...and started walking again. Same same weather, scenery until I arrived at Bad Bodendorf..time for another Kuchen, a last steep climb through the woods, past the Jewish cemetery on the plateau 2 kms from Remagen on the Rhine (made famous with the Hollywood movie 'The bridge of Remagen' / no bridge these days anymore...). And then take the train back to Bad Godesberg and swing by the Welthungerhilfe (WHH)  office.

All in all a good walking trip; no issues, clean weather; good for the physical health and the mind. Now the intensive two months in Bangui seem further and further away. It appears a good remedy: after an emergency gig... a few days walk through mother nature. Good for the heart, mind and legs.

I can recommend this Ahr-Tal trip. One can easily do the full Ahr-valley route from Blankenheim to Remagen...about 100 kms in three days (some 30 hours walk/rest included).

Then....a week later on Sunday 8th June, and a day before my departure for Gaziantep in Turkey, I decided  to do the 10 kms. Nordic Walking performance event in Dernau. Staying with the Weber Josef family in a 'Fremdenzimmer' for 2 nights. Interesting site: their backyard consists of a huge wall that was part of the reinforcement of a railway tunnel that crosses the mountains...the Germans before 1914 had already started to build a railway line from Koeln to Trier and then onwards to N-Eastern France to buy and transport the iron ore from that region. The tunnel in the 2nd World War was used to hide against the air attacks from the Allied Forces, while obviously after 1918 the Versailles treaty denied Germany any construction to continue.

Coincidence or God sent: on Saturday afternoon I walked through Dernau village and saw a van parked; written on it 'Ries den Otter, Heizung/Dernau'. There is unlikely to be more than one Ries den Otter in the world...and I happen to know him from my adolescent period in Eindhoven. One of his brothers Wim was in my primary school class. Ries and I played table tennis at the St. Catherina Verein in Eindhoven-centre from 1964-1967...I courted a young lady called Els Beurskens and he her best friend Carla Tielemans. So I walked into the winegarden and indeed he was sitting there sipping wine with his local buddies. Incredibly but true...we had not met since I guess 1967........ One reason to go back to Dernau when I return for meetings in September!  Nice to have met you again Ries!! We shall have more time to reminiscence; zekers te weten!

The Nordic walking event took place under blue skies; up and down through the vines clad hills, 30% dirt and gravel tracks...not ideal. It took me 1 hour 18 minutes and 51 seconds...and I came in 4th (a bit disappointing....I guess this speed Nordic walking isn't so much my thingy). Nevertheless...to be recommended! Nice people also in Dernau and a beautiful place to live.

TonvanZutphen@gmail.com

ps. I walked on light Lowa hiking boots, paths are smooth, a bit of gravel, 20% through the woods, the rest out in the open...so if it rains...you will really get soaked. It took me 14 hours (walking and a few short rests included). And I speedwalked the 10 kms Nordic walking race in Nike lunarglide 3 (stable running shoes / model 2009 and not available anymore except on E-bay).

Ton van Zutphen (Antonius Franciscus) in Neuss am Rhein and the Drachenfels / in Germany / March 2014

Ton van Zutphen (Antonius Franciscus) in Neuss am Rhein and to the Drachenfels in Germany / March 2014

(in the footsteps of his father Franz and the family)

 Numerous times in the past six months did I pass through Neuss am Rhein by train…always reminiscing about my father who was born there on 6^th November 1906 and who lived in this quiet  town for about 10 years. With a few days off around the Carnaval I decided to go and have a look at the area in which he grew up. Growing up as a boy must have meant roaming the streets with short leather trousers on, unkempt hair, a snotty nose, talking to the milkman who supplied the milk on a horse driven cart, shopping for groceries and taking the veggies home with mother, playing football for FC Neuss, and going to Froebelgarten and primary school. Grandma and pa had 5 children, 2 girls and 3 boys, my father being the youngest (see pic below). They were well settled in the industrial area of Neuss just a few blocks east of the railway station. I walked under the steel arched railway bridge into the Further Strasse and into the Kolping Viertel where the family lived. My father, aunts and uncles must have walked the same road thousands of times….. In some parts the original cobbled streets are still there to see and feel. The area was built around smokestack industries which provided the finer supplies necessary for the heavy industries of the Ruhrgebiet (coal and iron). The family looked well off …but decided to return to the Netherlands (a neutral country 1914-1918) when World War 1 broke out.  I have always realized how lucky the 60-70 generation was: we have never seen a war, even close to us (apart from the Balkans)…whereas my father and his family went through both World Wars.

And here I was for 2 hours walking through the Kettelerstrasse (I believe the family occupied house with #3), Roemerstrasse, Frankenstrasse, and the Kolpingstrasse. Some of the houses have their dates of construction still clearly marked on them…in particular those before 1914. Just note that is about one century ago that my father as an 8 year old boy played in those streets.

back from left Martin, grandmother Anna, Dina, Grandfather Anton, Anna

front from left Johann and to the right my father Franz (8 years)

 

I believe our ancestral home was the second one...#3

 

I want to thank my nephew Henk in Bergharen (NL) who provided the older pics. Mine below are showing how the Kettelerstreet looks like in 2014.  Who knows, we’ll get as a family more interested in finding out the details of that Neuss period in the life of my grandparents with their children.

                                                                            

 

                                                                                       

obviously the street has had a few facelifts, but the essential elements of the houses can be recognized

 

Then my father when I was a boy, talked often about the Rhine, Bingen, die Lorelei, das Siebengebirge and the Drachenfels…that steep climb from Koenigswinter or Rhoendorf to the ruins of a mediaeval castle. It is said here in Bonn that this Drachenfels was the highest mountain in the Netherlands between 1960-1980…because of all the Dutch that came and visit. And one tradition still exists: donkeys will take you up for a few bucks. I went last Sunday again knowing to follow my father’s footsteps. A great walk with beautiful weather; a good and healthy sweat, from Rhoendorf upwards and then descending to the Rhine Southwards. A roundtrip from my apartment in Bonn Friesdorf with two ferries to take, is about 15 kms with 500 meters denivelation.

It feels good to be in Germany / along the Rhine. I am ever so grateful.

tonvanzutphen@gmail.com

Ton van Zutphen, searching for Koelsch type beer in the Cologne-Bonn area (Feb.March 14)

Ton van Zutphen searching for Koelsch Beers in Cologne-Bonn area / Feb./March 2014

 

 

A sort of silly, bohemian, irrelevant but curious note from Ton van Zutphen (not an expert himself!).

I vaguely remember two references to this particular beer: 1. My father Franz mentioned it to me in the early seventies, when he talked about German beer (which he rarely did / he never drank adult beverages). Men and women drank ‘KOELSCH’ in Koeln/Cologne…though not in Duesseldorf-Neuss where he himself was born. One drinks ‘Altbier’ there…and it is difficult to find Koelsch because of the open animosity/competition between Cologne and Duesseldorf. It is said that ‘what the people from Cologne throw in the gutter..the people from Duesseldorf drink as ‘Altbeer’ / not very nice indeed… (both cities are along the Rhine) 2. I once went to the RosenMontag carnaval in Cologne with my study friend Gerd Leers, I recall it must have been in 1971 or 72? I now somehow remember the small, thin glasses (0.2 litres) and the cheap price for a ‘Koelsch’. I wasn’t impressed about the taste. We Dutch (and in fact most Germans as well) prefer the more ‘herbiger / Pilsener type beers’.

So what is this Koelsch beer all about? Locally brewed, geographically limited to particular districts inside the city of Cologne; A clear color, bright, sort of straw yellow, articulate hoppiness, but less bitter than the German lagers that most people know. It is warm fermented at around 13-21 degrees C (55 to 70 degrees F); and finally kept in cold circumstances to create its specific taste. The latter is essential and defines the specific smell, flavor  and aftertaste. Only those ingredients are used that are allowed by the German Rheinheitsgebot from 1516:  Beer is made of water, barley and hops

Now that I live and work in Germany in the Bonn- Bad Godesberg area as of November 13, I am giving it a lot of effort to learn how to appreciate Koelsch.  And it ain’t that easy. Many people I meet in the ‘Kneipe’ prefer the dominant regional beer ‘Bitburg’ to the various Koelsch types… I started off with the wrong one ‘Gaffel’ not one that I rate high at all (see below). Reminds me of a fine marketing concept to produce a beer that accommodates to the average taste of the man in the street…a bit like our Dutch ‘Heineken’. As a general rule now I start with a Koelsch or a Hefeweizen (which is something different altogether) and then finish with a Bitburg-‘Bitte ein Bit’. Now readers, don’t get me wrong here…a few glasses a day would remain below the average drinking standard and habit of normal Germans. I now have seen how the Germans carry away the beer in crates and in small barrels (Faesschen of 5 upto 50 litres) from special ‘drink supermarkets’  to enjoy at home or fuel up a party. And…beer is cheap at half a USD a pint in the supermarket!

As far as I am aware Germany is about the only country that has dealt properly with the issue of empty bottles and cans. On all glass and pet bottles and all cans throughout the country is quite an interesting deposit. An empty can will fetch you back 25 eurocents/35 dollarcents at any supermarket; same as for a pet bottle. So in one stroke the Germans turned a problem into an opportunity: it is not unusual to see the ‘unemployed’ looking for these empty cans and pet bottles in public places. You throw one away..and you can be sure someone will pick it up within minutes. Streets are completely clean of bottles and cans. In fact the value of a can could be half the price of the value of the beer inside!!  

There is an interesting website:  koelschfuehrer.de which argues that there a 13 permanently operating  breweries  in Cologne. There is another list which gives you a total number of 87 known names of Koelsch beers enumerated sofar. Doesn’t mean you can buy these beers…  A rough estimate from me is that some 30 Koelsch types can be found on and off. The big commercial Koelsch breweries are: Gaffel, Reissdorf, and Frueh. Followed by the smaller ones Gilden, Peters, Muehlen, Dom, and Sion. You can look these up in downtown Cologne and drink at the brewery (with Sausage, Kraut, Potatoes etc.) Definitely recommended! I spent one hour at Paeffgen Brauhaus in the Friesenstrasse / simply perfect.
And today 30th March I visited the premises of the now more or less commercially closed Ganser Koelsch brewery in Leverkusen...Hey this place is not in Koeln  but is a large city by itself. It is also said that a brewery could use the name 'Koelsch' if from its site one could see the world renowned Cathedral in Cologne. Perhaps that was the case in 1879 when this brewery started. At present the brewery is surrounded by tall buildings as it sits in the commercial district. Nevertheless..the Kroatian restaurant 'Zagreb' (very good food, Preiswert) next to the brewery served me a wonderful Ganser Koelsch in a large 0,3 litres glass with a gold rim and the pretty logo. The beermat says: die Liebe der Familie GANSER gehoert seit 1879 ihrem Bier und seiner rheinischen Heimat. Wow...a family that lived through generations with the objective to brew ever better beer. How great a profession and job that is! Live it up with Ganser Koelsch.
Finally there is close to Bonn and annually during the summer (July-August) the largest beer tasting outdoor event in the world.  All the Koelsch beers that are being brewed will be presented. I hope to attend if not this year, but certainly before I get old.

I have tasted so far 20 different types of the approx. 30 types one could possibly find…and rated the taste from 1 to 5 stars (*…..*****) / please note that of all these types I drank at least 2 glasses..or more!

Dom  3-4                            Sion  3                                 Gaffel  2-3                          Sester  3                  Gilden  3-4

Frueh  4                               Muehlen  4-3                     Hansa  3                              Richmodis  3          Hellers  3-4

Reissdorf  3-4                    Kueppers  3                        Giesler  3                            Suennen  3             Paeffgen  4-3

Traugott Simon  2-3         Schreckenskammer 3       Peters 3-4                           Zunft   3     Ganser 3-4

Frueh (Alkoholfrei) very tasty nevertheless 3-4 (rare to find!) 

So ‘Frueh’ Koelsch is at present my favourite; which is what I drink at my apartment in the G-Hotel in Bonn – Friesdorf.             

And in Bonn, during the carnival, I had a few  dark ‘Boennsch’…same sort of brew like  Koelsch…and rated it with 3 stars. And more recently with Stefan and Florian...a 'Boennsch' hefe und trueb...terrible stuff, undrinkable...rating less than 2! 

This note was written specifically to advise beer drinking connaisseurs and friends:  Gerard van der Meeren (amateur beer brewing champion Netherlands 1980), Dwayne Sedig. Mark Neeson, Liz Satow, Mark Janz, Harry Donsbach, Nicole Peter, Cor van den Hurk, Gerd Leers, Keith Buck,  Biya Han, Joerg Heinrich, Gerard Verstappen, Steve Hailey, Wolfgang Jamann and many others who may prefer not to see their name mentioned here…haha!

And of course in the USA on the West Coast my friend Dwayne says 'Koelsch' is being brewed by the micro breweries...Love to taste it as well!

Viele Gruesse von der Anton, Antonius, hic…Ton

Bonn – Bad Godesberg 5^th March 2014

Miami Marathon 2014 / Miami Heat by Ton van Zutphen

 

Well friends, this was my second full Miami marathon and again a lot of fun combined with hardship.

It was soooo good to see Nicole, Keith, Batshe and my daughter Valerie who now works in Haiti, again. Also the prep. has now its traditional elements such as walking/jogging across the Venetian Causeway toward the Convention centre to pick up the bib. And then cruising on the boardwalk along the sea with a quick peek at the South Beach clientele. Always staying at that friendly Hampton Inn in Dadeland and eating / shopping at the Asia Lan resto, Target boutique, JC Penney, and Sports Authority.  Miami is getting a comfortable place. And we all enjoy the brunch at Senora Sandra/Tia's apartment with mimosas and good Costa Rican cuisine. A marathon in the sun when the European winter is full on, what can beat that feeling?!

I recall last year that the less than 1 mile on the Rickenbacker Causeway caused me to slow down big time...because no shade there and only 3 miles away from the finish. Although mentally better prepared for it this year it still hit me...the heat, sun, and the shimmering sea. I have now analysed for myself why this marathon is slow compared to the ones I ran in Europe....we start at around 6.30 hrs early morning with a temp. of about 19 degrees. The first 8 miles are always good...cool and without sun / but when the golden ball starts pounding the blacktop of the Venetian Causeway the temp. shoots up in about half an hour minutes to about 30 degrees in the sun. That steep change in such a short period is hard on the body...and indeed once I got onto the Tiger Trail Av. after Mile 15, I simply had to slow down and fall back to full speedwalking mode. Before that I altered jogging (70%) with speedwalking (30%) and I was on track for a time under 5 hours. C'est la vie. It was great to pass Coconut Grove again, where I lived for 4 months in the Commodore Plaza last year. And hey, this is what happened on the Main Highway in the Grove: the field of runners was broken..in front of me and after me...no one within 25 metres. Slowly driving up on the other side of the road a red Ferrari and when this Italian beauty was close, the window rolled down and a young guy smiled and waved me on...I stuck up my hand to let him now 'thanks and I'll do my best' and increased my speed momentarily. Then I realised that I knew this guy with his bobbed hair from  internet pics......'course this was that idol Justin Bieber. Really a possibility? I checked with Nicole later and indeed this Bieber boy was spotted that weekend in Miami. Nice of him to encourage me; nice of me to thank him for it. Somehow he must have felt I did not recognize him. Haha. So with my Antonius 5155 bib I sped on and I decided to eat my wheatbread with salami when I passed the Grove yacht harbor. Interestingly, there is no food for the participants, not even a banana..just water with Gatorade galore, and at only two stations the (in)famous Gatorade Endurance Carb Energy Chews..not really my thing! I also should mention that just as last year  (and I do not have this feeling during other marathons) the last 6 miles I feel that my stomach is not in perfect shape; no vomiting yet but it does slow me down as well. And yes...plenty of fellow runners puking in the bushes. A good thing also that I managed my bio household well, no need to pee...

So I managed to even run the last 200 metres with a smile for the picture op. when Batshe took her shots. Pretty exhausted after the 26.2 miles enjoying a bottle of cold Coke. And a slightly better time this year over the past year: 5.32.27 against 5.35.00. Lesson to be applied in consideration of the heat: start in corral E or F instead of H and depart about 15 minutes earlier.

This year's medal is  bling bling big size and shiny again...but incredible that the organisers ran out of medals for Keith and Nicole. Nissan as a sponsor is definitely a few marks down from the ING Bank.

And we decided to run also next year ...special occasion for the 5th anniversary of the Haiti/Port au Prince earthquake. Keith, Nicole and myself already registered as three of the 30,000 expected participants. The traditional Sunday night eat and booze party at Larios had to be moved to the more formal Cheesecake factory at the Dadeland Mall...because of the Super Bowl event...even the Cubans then close shop! Unfortunately our waiter took no interest in serving us but had the info about the Broncos against who again in Seattle ....? on his fingertips.

To all who may read this and who were there before....Jenafir, Yara, Kesso, Harry, Steve, Annette, Rachel, and perhaps Neel, Ashraf, Nina, Sabrina, Dwayne, others...let us try to do it next year 25th Jan.

 

Some stats:

I ran on brand new Brooks Racer S 7, decked out in orange with Zensah compression socks, and my German patella wrapped around my left knee (this really makes a difference!).

In this strong field of mainly Latino runners I came in # 42 out of 52 participants in my age group (60-65). And of all the marathon runners # 2892 out of # 3593. Do note that the vast majority run the half marathon and that there are more female than male runners!

Victor of the  men's elite was Samuel Malakuen (Kenya) @ 2.19.46 and women's elite was Mariska Kramer (the Netherlands) @ 2.49.27. Indeed confirming this to be a slow marathon..over 15 minutes slower than the Berlin marathon in 2013.   

See my split time at 10 kms is 1.11. then 21.1 kms at 2.36 / at 30 kms 3.47.end is 5.32.27. So I already was slowing down at the half split!

Valerie @ 2.44.21 / half marathon

Keith @ 3.20.10

Nicole @ 4.06.42

 

see also www.ingmiamimarathon.com

Friends....doesn't this all encourage you to put your racing shoes straps on? So, prepare mentally because it is all in the head...the legs are a tool only / training does help of course.

 

.

 

 

 

 

De 4 daagse (noch einmal !) / the Walk of the World in Nijmegen /July 2013 by Ton van Zutphen

This years walk took place under clear skies...fabulous weather indeed: cool in the morning, sunny throughout, a few light clouds and a temp. around 25 degrees C.  I had trained enough with a 25 kms trial run around the Lainzer Tiergarten a week before in Vienna and a few days walk up and down the river Maas in the vicinity of Lith where my sister Elly lives. The city of Nijmegen welcomed over 40,000 walkers and a much larger number of visitors every day..the mayor expecting nearly one million people over a full week's period. In fact I had never experienced downtown with such huge crowds and amenities: music in the streets, tables outside the cafes, bars open all night long..people swerving with beers and other adult beverages throughout town.
This was the 97th edition and my 5th march. Since my racewalking hobby started I try to pace myself hard during day 1 and day 3 when I am allowed to start early. Day one started off at 05.30 hrs and I came in at 10.15 hours finishing  my 40 kms and ranking first in my category...with a 6th place all together. There is the 'elite bench' of about 15 fast men and women where we talk about shoes and equipment...and speed. Interesting. There is an Englishman who arrives first every year...50 kms in about 5 hours...  and way beyond my league. Third day with the Breedeveld/Groesbeek/Berg en Dal hills I came in 7th and it took me 5 hours. The second and fourth day I walked with my friend Gerard Verstappen and we had time to reminisce and talk about our lives...and plans of which I realize I still have plenty. The third day we met with friends...Antonet, Fritz,  Gerard and others at café De Kroon which is about 400 meters before the finish ...and we saw those who had to be supported to get in before the bell of 17 hours rings...anybody arriving later will be disqualified and cannot start the next day. The last 500 walkers really suffer...but it is all part of the game. This year's registration came to 46,000 walkers...42,493 started and 39,396 made it to the finish at the end of day 4.  
This has now become a yearly event for me: 3 times I walked 200 kms and the last 2 times 160 kms. I hope next year more of our ex student colleagues from the Prof. Bromstreet 40 will participate such as Frie, Frans, Leon,...who dares?
And also Antonet, wife of our dear friend Cees who passed away one year ago in Nijmegen. It was wonderful to be with her, Gerard and his partner Isy at Café 'De Compagnie' where in the honor of Cees a beautifully crafted wooden bench has been placed. The Walk of the World (www.4daagse.nl) has become perhaps a ritual...to continue.
In the end..and an hour after arriving Friday afternoon I had a few difficult moments when I realized I had taken off my cap (to greet the mayor Bruls also), to receive the traditional flowers from Isy...'gladiolen'...walking with a bald head is not smart when the sun is out. I guess I did not drink enough in the last 3 kms. ...life is not perfect. Anyway..I know this for next year and I also realize clearly that 50kms every day is not for me anymore! 

Some stats:
I walked the 'fast' days on Saucony racing flats (FastWitch 5)
Day 2 and day 4 on Nike lunar glide 3
Always wearing running socks of the brand 'X socks' and using 'Rohde' Hirschtalg crème for my feet (before and after)
I had one blister on my small left toe / not really bothering me much
Met a few nice people...Hans, a Dutch power walker with similar interests to live in Vienna, Kirsten,  a retired Norwegian police officer, and the usual French randonneurs, who love it when someone speaks to them in their language.

I look foreward to next year...always third week in July.

Last but not least.... much thanks go to  Antonet who offered me the hospitality to stay and meet little Beer. We both know that big Beer was with us as well. 

Ton van Zutphen finishes Miami Beach 13.1 Marathon (March 13)

Ton van Zutphen finishes the Miami Beach 13.1 miles Marathon on 9th March 2013 / Half-Marathon

This time through a combination of racewalking and running.

I registered only a few days prior to this race; having spent a full week in meetings in Tennessee without proper 'running about' and lots of regular coffees and breakfasts/lunches/dinners. No wonder 90% of my colleagues gain weight. When I received a mail-reminder from the organisers I said to myself...'what the heck, go for it!'

So no proper training, I just hoped my legs and lungs still remembered the experience of the full marathon over one month ago...also in Miami.

Then Saturday morning very early with a taxi from my studio in Coconut Grove to Ocean Drive at SoBe (South Beach Miami). I had plenty of time to do warming up exercises..I think this does help, by the way. Mentally I started to be very ready for this one!

Start of the elite guys/gals @ 6 am (only 40 of them...all supposed to remain under 1 hour 25 minutes)..the winner was a Kenyan Shadrack Kosgei in 1 hr. 3 minutes and 15 secs. Then the other normal 2006 participants made it to finish of this half marathon starting at 6.13 am under a slightly clouded sky, little breeze and 18 degrees. Simply wonderful.

As usual I started at the very back...to avoid being caught up in 'running jams'....and the first 5 miles were great...humming my mantra 'slow down, slow down / but keep going'. The parcours is great with the crossing of long bridges both the Julia Tuttle and MacArthur causeways...together good for 5 miles already and obviously lots of early morning sea breezes. I passed the 5 mile sign under 55 minutes...it sort of went in a haze.

Interestingly the full week before I had not imbibed in any adult beverages. I had taken a bit of the small flask '5 hour extra energy' ( my preferred kind of epo) before the race, and I knew I had my bio household under control. No hunger or having to visit 'the Johns' anymore during this race.

Just before arriving at mile 9 I joined the runners pack of the pacemaker upholding the card 2.30, meaning a group of runners that all aimed to finish just below 2 hours 30 minutes. That's what I did and it worked well for me...I could just about follow in racewalking mode and from time to time I ran. Friends...this is the future...racewalk half, run/jog half. Not too hard on the knees and better for the heart/lungs and legs. Believe me!

Pity that on the MacArthur causeway on the left side there was a car traffic jam and I had to start walking very close to the bridge ramp on the right to avoid the car exhaust...well this is America after all! Also a pity because when racewalking one needs to walk where it is absolutely flat and not on the edge where the road is often slightly bent downwards...Wears one out.....So we were trotting along with the 2.30 group of about 10 runners. The pacemaker cheering us up: 'c'mon # 2345 (my number)...you can do it. We are nearly there; the finish is just around the block......etc.etc.'

The last mile and a half we actually went past the golden sands of South Beach / very pretty with the sun shining and all of us smelling the finish.

I took a last sort of sprint...and ran pretty good for 300 metres.

This time it was an easy go. Could have gone a bit faster if I had coordinated my running better...or if someone ran with me from the beginning.

This was good; next year hopefully again...if I am still in Miami by then / which is doubtful.

As a reward again a beautiful silver medal; oversized US style...but I am lovin' it of course! Then the food we were handed out ..I could not believe my eyes...muffins, canned sugary fruits, and cookies. I stuck to bananas and water and had a sip of 'Michelob' free beer (not be recommended to a European). Luckily there was rice, black beans and pollo (my favourite Black Mountain-Haiti dish). And a great atmosphere with everybody walking on the sand and enjoying the apres-race atmosphere.

　

Some stats:

Winner in my age category arrived in 1 hr. 30 minutes 55 secs. Bravissimo; probably one of the few remaining Neanderthalers

I came in 24th in my age category @ 2.25.29...and missed my Personal Best by 7 seconds. Can you believe this? In Eindhoven, NL last year I finished in

2.25.22.....

Finished as # 1478 out of 2006 participants / men-women combined

Latest arrival finished @ 3 hr. 58 minutes and 15 secs.

I ran on size 13 racing flats Brooks T5 racer...a shoe I can now definitely recommend (uni-sex shoe) with my World Vision tank singlet....and saw only one other WV t-shirt around

Wow....every month a walking or running event...that is what life should become!

tonvanzutphen@gmail.com