Author: Havi Zavi

Cycling Through Amsterdam

I have found there are many archetypes of cyclist here in Amsterdam, where the only way to get around seems to be by bike. It is the Dutch way, the Amsterdammer way, and as a tourist whose main goal is to blend in and not be perceived as a tourist, has quickly became my way to explore this cobbled city.

Among these archetypes you have the young and chic: ladies cruising on their omafiets (translated: old lady bike), something that looks like a beach cruiser, only older and clunkier, often adorned with baskets and racks. While the bike may be a beater, the ladies are effortless in their style. Tights and skirts and hair in french twists, oversized sunglasses, and always, always Airpods poking out of their ears, the clear go-to accessory for any Amsterdammer.

Then there are the parents, an endless stream of attractive thirty-somethings, a baby seat in front, an older child seat behind, or for the more boujie of this set, what looks like a Santa sleigh on the front carting children, dogs, and in one case, a small elderly woman donning sunglasses. These bikes are apparently the SUV of Amsterdam, and in true hipster mom vs soccer mom fashion, there is some debate about what kind of person might ride one of these.

We also have the elderly riding sleek, modern bikes in hip matte colors, some complete with built in alarms, which did surprise me as I accidentally bumped into one while unlocking my bike one day. The alarm, in true Dutch fashion, was less a wailing warning to back off, and more of a gentle “ahem” as I clumsily fiddled with my lock.

While the archetypes vary, I have found they all have one thing in common:

They are all faster than me.

Not that riding around Amsterdam is about speed. Still I can’t help but feel that I am getting in the way during the evening commute as I clumsily try to steer my bike, point my finger in the direction I’m headed, and try to merge with 20 speedy Amsterdammers into one slim bike lane. I pedal my legs faster and still within seconds “ding ding” rings behind me and I am being passed, far too close for my own comfort but business as usual for the locals.

My daily inner dialogue is some iteration of the following: “oh no, you’re tire is so close, please do not hit me, ohhhh, keep it steady, one jerk to the left and I take us all down. Oh, please do not fall, I repeat, do not fall. Oh no, I need to turn left, how do I do that when three other roads feed in to this intersection? And there is a train to contend with? Who has the right of way? What do I doooooo???”

Luckily, I have found power in mass: when in doubt, follow an Amsterdammer through the intersection and hope for the best. I can only imagine their inner dialogue as I tail them in as if in a hot pursuit police chase, “I have to lose this girl, why has she been following me for twenty blocks?” Still, it’s worked to keep me alive so far: I have managed without being hit by a car, train, or other bike.

In the few moments when I have found myself riding the wrong direction (which is apparently okay on city streets, but not okay on the bike paths), I have managed to worm my way out of the situation without any grave injury.

And when I have been scolded by another cyclist for any indiscretion, it has been done so in Dutch. I’m just going to call that a win.

xo HZ

How does your Hugel grow?

How you know you are a lazy gardener: trying to sort out the easiest way to make your beds, that require the least amount of weeding, the least amount of watering, and yields the most food.

Enter: HugelKultur Mounds

I first learned about HugelKultur method of gardening from Mindy Rainey on the show “Homestead Rescue”. She was helping someone who had very little water available to them, and she explained this method (HugelKultur or HK from here on out) would self-water from natural rain water collected into the logs at the bottom of the mounds. As an island dweller, I am on well water and access to fresh water is at a premium. We also had just purchased 5 acres, 2 acres of which was covered in rotten alder logs. This felt like the perfect fit!

So, I hopped on my Kubota tractor and began hauling load after load of Alder logs, which would be the base of my three beds. Why three? I have no idea. It was random and felt right, and after my first season, I was SO impressed at how much food these yielded for me! I cut my grocery bill in HALF, since as vegetarians, the bulk of our food is produce.

Each bed is 12′ long by 3-4 feet wide, and another benefit of the HK mounds is the planting area is amazing! You can plant on the sides, the ends, and the top, and since the plants are searching for both nutrients (of the composting logs beneath them) and water, the roots of the plants grew strong which meant larger yields! I had broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, kale, chard, cucumbers, eggplant… and so, so many herbs.

Year one yielded a ton of food, and now I am looking forward to year two. I’m leaning into what worked super well (kale! broccoli! lettuce!) and adding companion plants to complement these (Blue lake green beans! Dill! Cilantro!).

More on companion planting later, but for now, all I can say is YAY to HK mounds! If you want to see the step by step video (and photos of the growing season) – check out my YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/wx5-dDqrKPw

Italy and France: Packing For Two Very Different Trips

We are less than two weeks out from our grand adventure, which looks a little like this:

  • 4 Days in Venice
  • 4 Days backpacking through the Dolomites
  • 4 Days in Cinque Terre
  • A week in Nice, South of France
  • And finally, 4 days in Paris

Needless to say, we are stoked. We will be gone from our home, jobs, friends, family, and dog for nearly a month. However, this is also a logistical packing challenge. There is the backpacking element (travel sheets, hiking boots, head lamp, et al), and then touring the South of France. Not to mention Paris! As easy going as I *imagine* myself to be, the reality is I’m a fashionista and cannot imagine clomping around Paris in my hiking boots.

So, here is the plan:

Backpack, filled with stuff for hiking:

IMG-2876.JPG

Then, suitcase… filled 3/4 of the way with stuff for warmer climates and beachy type touring… i.e., dresses, rompers, shorts and t-shirts. The last 1/4 of the suitcase is dedicated to Paris: blazer, denim, and blouses.

This experience has me wondering – how minimalist can one be while still looking stylish?

Tips appreciated!

xo

HZ